A new Australian racing season is officially underway, and while the biggest spring features are still around the corner, Saturday marks the start of a fresh campaign with plenty of horses looking to make an early statement.
We’ll be covering Races 6-9 at Flemington, headlined by the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap, a traditional season opener that regularly showcases some of the country’s best sprinters beginning their spring preparations. It’s a race with a strong history and often provides valuable clues for the bigger sprint features to come.
We’ll also preview Races 7-10 at Rosehill, where a series of competitive handicaps should produce plenty of betting opportunities. As is often the case at this time of year, there’s a fascinating mix of first-up runners, emerging talent and horses looking to carry strong winter form into the new season.
It shapes as an intriguing day for punters, with plenty of fresh faces, returning stars and several open races where finding the right value could prove the key. We’ve done the form and narrowed down our best bets and value plays across both meetings to help kick off the new racing season on the right note.
🏇 Flemington R6 1620m – 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (Bm84)
📝 Race Overview:
A competitive mile contest to kick off the quaddie where race fitness and positioning should prove crucial. Several runners are building nicely this preparation and a genuine tempo should ensure every chance for those settling just off the speed.
🔥 Best Bet: TOUCHDOWN
💰 Odds: ~$2.10
⚡ Hit the line strongly from a wide barrier when resuming and looks set to improve sharply second-up. After winning four races last preparation, he appears well placed to return to the winner’s stall.
💎 Best Value: KALEO
💰 Odds: ~$5.75
💥 Bounced back with a deserved victory a fortnight ago after not enjoying much luck at his previous start. If he gets another clear run, he’s capable of making his presence felt again.
🏇 Flemington R7 1200m – Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap
📝 Race Overview:
The feature race of the day sees a quality field of sprinters resume their spring campaigns down the famous Flemington straight. Fresh form, straight-track experience and race fitness all come into play in what should be an outstanding contest.
🔥 Best Bet: WAR MACHINE
💰 Odds: ~$3.60
⚡ Forgive his first-up defeat last campaign after he pulled up lame. Prior to that he won impressively fresh over this course and distance carrying 60kg, and his straight-track record suggests he’s ready to launch another big preparation.
💎 Best Value: STAR PATROL
💰 Odds: ~$7
💥 A proven Flemington straight specialist with four wins down the straight. He resumed with an excellent second in the spring last year and has the profile to run another bold race fresh.
🏇 Flemington R8 1410m – 26/27 VRC Membership Renewals Open (Bm100)
📝 Race Overview:
A quality handicap where several progressive horses meet seasoned performers. With limited speed on paper, settling position could be a key factor.
🔥 Best Bet: SASS APPEAL
💰 Odds: ~$2.25
⚡ An exciting mare who won four consecutive races after her debut and now resumes with plenty of upside. She looks ready to measure up to stronger company and has the class to continue her rise.
💎 Best Value: DUCHESS ZOU
💰 Odds: ~$4.80
💥 Comes into this in terrific form having won three of her past four starts. She maps to enjoy a positive run near the speed and should once again be fighting out the finish.
🏇 Flemington R9 1100m – VRC.com.au Sprint (Bm78)
📝 Race Overview:
A wide-open sprint to close the Flemington card where several runners have genuine claims. A strong tempo should give every horse their chance.
🔥 Best Bet: NIMBUSTWOTHOUSAND
💰 Odds: ~$6.50
⚡ Has been better than the form guide suggests this campaign after overcoming awkward draws. Back to 1100m looks ideal and there’s improvement to come with a kinder run in transit.
💎 Best Value: MOBY DICK
💰 Odds: ~$10
💥 Has mixed his form this preparation but his best efforts stack up well for a race like this. If he can reproduce one of those performances, he’s more than capable of featuring at double-figure odds.
🏇 Rosehill R7 1400m – National Jockeys Trust (Bm78)
📝 Race Overview:
A competitive 1400m handicap with plenty of speed engaged. The genuine tempo should suit runners able to settle off the pace and finish strongly.
🔥 Best Bet: TARZING
💰 Odds: ~$2.35
⚡ Produced a strong first-up effort despite traffic before breaking through convincingly second-up. A hot tempo looks ideal and he maps to get every chance to continue his winning form.
💎 Best Value: FRONTEX
💰 Odds: ~$17
💥 Has held his form well this campaign and was solid again last start. With fitness on his side and another economical run expected, he’s capable of running well at generous odds.
🏇 Rosehill R8 1500m – Jockeys Celebration Day (Bm100)
📝 Race Overview:
A quality middle-distance handicap featuring several in-form gallopers. It shapes as a tactical affair where timing will be everything.
🔥 Best Bet: IT’S A KNOCKOUT
💰 Odds: ~$4.60
⚡ Charged home for second last start and looks to be knocking on the door of another victory. Proven at the distance and ideally suited in this company.
💎 Best Value: NARBOLD
💰 Odds: ~$6
💥 Went down fighting after hitting the front late last week and now drops 5.5kg in the weights. The quick backup looks suitable and he should be competitive again.
🏇 Rosehill R9 1300m – NSW Jockeys Association (Bm94)
📝 Race Overview:
An even sprint where several runners come through similar form lines. Race shape and tempo will likely decide the outcome.
🔥 Best Bet: CIGAR FLICK
💰 Odds: ~$6.75
⚡ Didn’t have the race run to suit last start but still stuck on well. Back to 1300m looks a positive and she gets her chance to bounce back.
💎 Best Value: ROMEO’S CHOICE
💰 Odds: ~$12
💥 Enjoyed a perfect run when scoring here last time and there’s no reason he can’t repeat the performance with another economical trip.
🏇 Rosehill R10 1100m – Congratulations James McDonald (Bm78)
📝 Race Overview:
A fitting way to finish the program with an open sprint where plenty of runners have claims. Early speed and a touch of luck in running should be decisive.
🔥 Best Bet: ZOURIPPER
💰 Odds: ~$5.50
⚡ Has continued to improve since the blinkers went on and finished strongly despite an unsuitable tempo last week. The quick backup, gelding status and the booking of James McDonald are all significant positives.
💎 Best Value: POLYGLOT
💰 Odds: ~$7
💥 Had no luck when resuming before producing another encouraging effort second-up. With clear running and further improvement to come, he appeals as a genuine winning chance at the odds.
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