Historical Analysis of the Aurie’s Star Handicap
The Aurie’s Star Hcp had a history of being a kick off race for many a good stayer leading into a Cups preparation. So often you’d see horses running on who end up taking some nice races in that Spring.
That may not be the case anymore. It’s a good punters race as the favourites excel first up here. Who wins in 2018?
PROFILING THE RACE
o Danehill and his sons have been on fire in this race as the winning stallion.
o Great race for favourites or those right in the market.
o Over many years Bart used this as a pipe opener for his prospective Cups horses just to stretch their legs and clean out the engines. Not done so much now.
o Not a race for the mares - last one to salute the judge was Hula Wonder in 1999.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 4yo (5 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $5.25
o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner - 55.5
o Breakdown of winners - 8 geldings & 2 entires
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Ramornie Hcp (1), Creswick Stks (1), All Sprint Final (1), Open Hcp MV (1), 3yo Open Flem (1), Open Hcp Rose (1), Spell (4)
RECENT WINNERS
Barrier: 8, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:09.99
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 102nd: Cannyescent (54.0kg), 3rd: Grande Rosso (56.5kg)
Review: A Group 1 winner carrying top weight in a handicap means Hey Doc did a great job. It was not a fast run sprint as those down the straight often are.
However Luke Currie held him up long enough and when the fast finishers came at him, he had enough of a lead. The Lindsay Park army ran well but it was a former Lindsay Park trainer who got the chocolates.
Hey Doc is a good Flemington horse and it looked like he was in for a good preparation now racing into open company.
Barrier: 9, Weight: 54.0kg, Gross Time: 1:10.06
Margin: 1.8L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 112nd: Dibayani (59.0kg), 3rd: Tashbeeh (54.0kg)
Review: Well Sooboog was always considered a deceiver. People knew he had ability but he rarely showed it.
In the market again he went straight to the front and onto a drier track which he needed. Rolling along they weren’t able to get close enough in running. He stretched the lead at the 400m and won with ease.
It was important being an entire that he got a win like this. Could he keep going in the Spring? He was sure in the right stable.
Barrier: 1, Weight: 54.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.43
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Slow (5), Starters: 112nd: Play Master (54.0kg), 3rd: Le Bonsir (54.0kg)
Review: Coming from Sydney like last year’s winner, this 6yo had been in flying form but first run down the straight isn’t always that easy.
Off the inside, Oliver was looking for cover but never got it and the one inside failed to give him a cart into the race.
Once he went for home he surged about six off the fence and just held on when the swarm arrived. It was a good win under the circumstances in a strangely weighted race.
