The feature race at Flemington this Saturday is the Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m), where the market says it is an open race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap.
2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap Runner Preview:
1.War Machine: Class is going to carry him a long way. Just a matter of whether he’s here to play. But, we saw last week with Cosmic Crusader, he wasn’t there to play and he spanked them in the Bletchingly. He commands respect.
2.Arkansaw Kid: Arkansaw Kid is a class sprinter for Team Hayes that resumes. This guy is first up, having not raced since the Matrice during the Adelaide Carnival when placing behind Shadhavar. He goes well fresh, he likes the straight course and has class.
3.Star Patrol: Star Patrol loves the straight course and is dangerous here. He resumes, having not raced since Derby Day when down the track in the Rising Fast. Given a good break and has had an extensive prep of jumpouts for the return, so watch betting.
4.Cote Atlantique: I don’t think he’s that much good to be honest and that was evident in Queensland. He should be $21+.
5.Ndola: Ndola had complete control on speed in the Santa Ana Lane Final a few weeks ago at Flemington and that was the difference between winning and losing, finding plenty when challenged to score. Good upside, lovely tick over jumpout, he appeals here.
6.Boomtown Boss: He’s race fit and the jumpout says he’s here to rock and roll to get a win…but he’s just too frustrating to follow.
7.Fancify: Good racing style and like her back to 1200m, but she looks outclassed.
8.Royal Insignia: Surged hard late to just miss two weeks ago down the straight. Proven Stakes performer and race fit, he’s one for exotics.
9.Windstorm: $126 is unders.
2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Ndola
2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap Speed Map
Star Patrol was ridden with a sit in the latest jumpout but I dare say he’ll push forward here alongside Fancify, with Arkansaw Kid likely being not far away alongside stablemate Ndola.
Aurie’s Star Handicap Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 1 | 60.5kg | ||||
| 2 | ARKANSAW KID | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Mark Zahra | 3 | 59kg | ||||
| 3 | STAR PATROL | Clinton McDonald | Craig Newitt | 8 | 55.5kg | ||||
| 4 | COTE ATLANTIQUE (IRE) | Henry Dwyer | Declan Bates | 7 | 55kg | ||||
| 5 | NDOLA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Jye McNeil | 4 | 54.5kg | ||||
| 6 | BOOMTOWN BOSS | Tony Gollan | Daniel Moor | 2 | 54kg | ||||
| 7 | FANCIFY (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Jabez Johnstone (a) | 6 | 54kg | ||||
| 8 | ROYAL INSIGNIA | Grahame Begg | Luke Cartwright (a) | 5 | 54kg | ||||
| 9 | WINDSTORM | Logan McGill | Akira Sugawara | 9 | 54kg |
Aurie’s Star Handicap Odds
