Standish Handicap 2023 Race Details
Race 6 at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday the 14th January 2023.
The Standish Handicap is a 1200 metre open handicap race run by the Victorian Racing Club in early January. It is held at Flemington as the feature event on the program.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Standish Handicap page.
Standish Handicap 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Hot
It’s a wide open betting market at the time of writing for the time honoured Standish Handicap. The West Aussie Indian Pacific is a narrow favourite from Vespertine who has jumped out impressively at Cranbourne in recent weeks. Six others are in single figures.
Standish Handicap 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Western Empire
First up for John Leek Jnr with plenty of gear changes. He is a Group 1 winner over a mile in Perth and whilst this is short of his best he has a class edge here and his jump outs have been sharp enough to run well first up.
2. Halvorsen
Won this race twice before in 2020 and 2022. Track and distance specialist who was very good here two back. This looks to have been his target and he is drawn well with Blake Shinn. Can win.
3. Indian Pacific
Started a big price in the Winterbottom and didn’t fire, then finished midfield in the Summer Scorcher. His best would see him go close but looks short enough to my eye at $6.
4. Vespertine
Five year old mare on the rise. Impressed winning this track and distance on Melbourne Cup day. Been given time and caught the eye winning a Cranbourne jump out by a big space recently. Fitness?
5. Dawn Passage
Second of the resumers. Typically runs well first up and the jump outs have been solid enough to suggest he could run well here.
6. Regardsmaree
Freshened after finishing sixth in the Bullion at Pakenham. Respect the stable but prefer others.
7. Parsifal
Should be getting to peak fitness third up and is drawn to get every chance. First four chance.
8. Rose Quartz
Quality mare who hasn’t missed the quinella in three goes this track and trip. Raced wide in the Christmas Stakes at Sandown and fought on bravely into third. One of the chances.
9. Umgawa
Gets blinkers again but would need to run a new peak to be in the finish here.
10. Ocean Beyond
Has raced well here in the past but doesn’t appear to be going well enough.
11. Snapper
Good winner here two back and drops significantly in weight for this. Place chance.
12. Crestani
Thought he was entitled to finish closer than he did at Moonee Valley. Another who would need to run to a new peak to win this.
Standish Handicap 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
Lewis Oliver’s Tips
|
Jo Jackson’s Tips | |
2 Halvorsen | 8 Rose Quartz | |
1 Western Empire | ||
8 Rose Quartz | 1 Western Empire | |
4 Vespertine | 2 Halvorsen |
Previews for other races this week
Group 2 Perth Cup 2023 (Ascot 2400m)
Listed Miss Andretti Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1100m)
Restricted Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas 2023 (Gold Coast 1425m)
Restricted Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic 2023 (Gold Coast 1200m)
Restricted Listed Magic Millions Cup 2023 (Gold Coast 1425m)
Standish Handicap 2023 Race Results
Result | Horse | Margin |
1st | 11 Snapper | |
2nd | 8 Rose Quartz | 0.75 length |
3rd | 5 Dawn Passage | 1.5 lengths |
4th | 9 Umgawa | 2.25 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
Scratchings: 3. Indian Pacific, 6. Regardsmaree, 7. Parsifal.