The feature at Flemington this Saturday is the Standish Handicap (1200m), where the market suggests it’ll be a competitive race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Standish Handicap.
2026 Standish Handicap Runner Preview:
1. Maharba: Had a three-run Autumn prep where nothing really went right. Been given a good long prep, has jumped out well and has class. Watch the market.
2. Lim’s Kosciuszko: Stable reckons he is back on track. I haven’t seen enough in his races to suggest that so for mine, he goes through to the keeper.
3. Aviatress: Aviatress comes through the Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day at Sandown. She lumped topweight and tried hard but just couldn’t quite get there when third to impressive winner Hedged. Very genuine mare who should be around the mark against these.
4. Aztec Ruler: Ran so well in this race last year. Great effort in the Gold Rush at Ascot, he’ll settle off speed and be effective late. A win wouldn’t shock.
5. Hedged: Pattern was in his corner in the Christmas Stakes but even allowing for that, he was quite dominant. Confidence is up and he can go on with it.
6. Disneck: Disneck is a Bjorn Baker-trained gelding that resumes, having not raced since Champions Day when down the track here behind Need Some Luck. Quiet trial at Hawkesbury to prepare, he’s got a dynamic turn of foot and ridden cold, with cover, he’ll explode late.
7. Prairie Flower: SCR
8. Samangu: Just looked in need of the run at Caulfield Heath. Tick-over jumpout was quite good and her best is good enough. Not dismissing.
9. Major Share: Major Share has run well down the straight before and comes here after a fourth on Boxing Day in the Christmas Stakes. He landed on speed and tried as hard as ever but just lacked the class and quality to finish the job. Not sure he wins but is a must for exotics.
10. Extratwo: Better suited at 1400m but even then, not sure how well she is going.
11. Contemporary: Hasn’t shown enough in two runs to say he’ll trouble this lot.
12. Celsius Star: Racing very well at the moment but may need it easier.
2026 Standish Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Aviatress
Standish Handicap Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAHARBA | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 2 | 60kg |
| 2 | LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO | Dan Meagher | Luke Nolen | 3 | 59kg |
| 3 | AVIATRESS | Richard & Chantelle Jolly | Mark Zahra | 10 | 58kg |
| 4 | AZTEC RULER | Stefan Vahala | Chris Parnham | 6 | 57.5kg |
| 5 | HEDGED | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 5 | 57.5kg |
| 6 | DISNECK | Bjorn Baker | Daniel Stackhouse | 11 | 55kg |
| 7 | PRAIRIE FLOWER | Will Clarken | Lachlan Neindorf | 9 | 54kg |
| 8 | SAMANGU | Grahame Begg | Michael Dee | 1 | 54kg |
| 9 | MAJOR SHARE | Adam Chambers | Tom Madden | 8 | 54kg |
| 10 | EXTRATWO | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 12 | 54kg |
| 11 | CONTEMPORARY | Lindsey Smith | Craig Newitt | 4 | 54kg |
| 12 | CELSIUS STAR | Shawn Mathrick | Ms Hannah Edgley (a) | 7 | 54kg |
Standish Handicap Odds
2026 Standish Handicap Speed Map
Major Share has the early speed to lead up the pack. Lim’s Kosciuszko will settle handy, likewise Samangu and Celsius Star. Hedged can settle forward as well while Maharba should lob into a decent trailing spot.
2026 Standish Handicap TLDR
The 2026 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington shapes as a highly competitive straight-track sprint, with a genuine tempo expected and multiple runners suited by the race conditions.
Aviatress profiles as a strong winning chance after a tough run under topweight in the Christmas Stakes, where she finished third behind Hedged. She drops slightly in weight, maps well for a strong late finish, and rates as the preferred betting option in an open field.
Hedged comes off a dominant Christmas Stakes victory and can measure up again, while Aztec Ruler appeals as a value runner given his past performance in this race and proven straight-track form. Disneck is a fresh runner with a sharp turn of foot and adds intrigue resuming, while Major Share and Samangu look suited for exotics.
Early speed is expected from Major Share, with Lim’s Kosciuszko, Samangu, and Celsius Star settling close to the pace, ensuring the race is run at a genuine tempo.
Best Bet: Aviatress – Win @ $4.20 with swiftbet
Race: Standish Handicap (1200m)
Meeting: Flemington
Expected Tempo: Genuine
Betting Strategy: $100 Win Aviatress @ $4.20 with swiftbet