Standish Handicap – 2023

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.

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.

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	3 Indian Pacific
8 Rose Quartz	1 Western Empire
4 Vespertine	2 Halvorsen