The Aurie’s Star Handicap 2025 Preview
What is The Aurie’s Star Handicap?
The 2025 Aurie’s Star Handicap is run at Flemington Racecourse late July or early August. A Group Three race over 1200 metres, it’s an open handicap on turf and carries a tidy $200,000 in prize money. Held on a left-handed (anticlockwise) track, it is one of the early features of the Melbourne Spring build-up, attracting quality sprinters looking to kick off their campaigns in style.
Previous Winners of The Aurie’s Star Handicap
In 2024, Right To Party took out the Aurie’s Star for Anthony and Sam Freedman with Jye McNeil aboard. The Zoustar mare proved too sharp down the straight. It’sourtime won in 2023 for Danny O’Brien with Michael Dee in the saddle. The Time For War gelding was strong through the line.
Sirius Suspect
Sirius Suspect was too good in 2022, giving local trainer Saab Hasan a memorable win with Ethan Brown riding. The 2021 edition went to The Astrologist, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and ridden by Damien Thornton. Home Of The Brave, trained by James Cummings, claimed the 2020 running with Damien Oliver steering the Irish import. So Si Bon broke through in 2019 for the Hayes and Dabernig team, ridden by Luke Nolen.
Voodoo Lad
In 2018, Voodoo Lad delivered for Darren Weir and Damien Oliver with a strong finish. Hey Doc saluted in 2017 for Tony McEvoy under Luke Currie, showing his class early in the spring. Sooboog got the job done in 2016 for Darren Weir and jockey Michael Dee. In 2015, Shiraz gave Tony McEvoy another Aurie’s Star win, with Damien Oliver guiding him to victory adding their names to the honour roll, alongside Lord Of The Sky in 2016 and Smokin’ Joey in 2015.
Latest Odds
Splash Back leads the market at $2.70 after two strong wins and looks set to continue her form. King Of Roseau is close behind at $4.90, also coming off two victories and showing solid consistency. Marble Nine is a genuine contender at $5.80, bringing three straight wins into the race but carrying the top weight of 59.5kg. Bossy Nic, first-up from a spell, is priced at $16 and has drawn ideally in barrier one. She Dances, with recent market support, sits at $18 and could be a sharp improver.
Other Runners
Miss Aria resumes at $18 and brings decent form into this campaign. Joyful Fortune is at $19 and has proven ability but may need the run. Lady In Pink has seen some early interest and is $20, while Bandi’s Boy remains at $36 with limited form. Danny’s St Darci is another longshot at $36, returning second-up. Jenni The Fox rounds out the field at $61, resuming after a mixed preparation last time in.
Tips for Aurie’s Star Handicap 2025
The pickabookie.com.au selection for the race is Splash Back. The mare has hit the ground running since joining Grahame Begg, winning three of her four starts demonstrating how talented she is. Her most recent win, while against slightly easier opposition, was dominant. A sharp jump out a couple of weeks back suggests she’s returned in top order and ready to go on with it.
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