Late call gets seven extra for Standish Handicap

A call for extra entries has resulted in nominations for the Standish Handicap at Flemington being doubled.

The Group Three feature over 1200m on New Year’s Day attracted 12 nominations on Wednesday and entries remained open until 3pm with another seven added.

Among the seven is Lord Of The Sky who has been given equal top weight of 59kg with Tasmanian galloper Tshahitsi.

Tshahitsi was one of the finds of the Melbourne winter, winning twice at Flemington, including the Winter Championship Final over 1600m in July.

The gelding, trained by Chris Crook and Imogen Miller, hasn’t raced since that victory and will be having his first start up the Flemington straight.

Lord Of The Sky ran second in the 2015 Standish Handicap behind Decircles carrying 57.5kg and hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown in August.

Other nominations include the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Flippant (56kg), Chamois Road (54.5) with the remaining 15 nominations all on 54kg including last-start winners Miss Wonderland and Toy Boy.

The Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) has attracted 17 nominations with last-start Pakenham Cup winner Like A Carousel the topweight with 60kg ahead of Imperial Aviator (59) and Dandy Gent on 58kg with the remaining 14, headed by last-start Caulfield winner Etah James, on 54kg.