Flemington   10 Jan 2026
 
GOING: G

Standish Handicap 1200m

Track: GOOD3   Rain (Max: 27)   Rail: Out 6m Entire Circuit.  

Expecting Celsius Star to find the lead but there will be plenty of pressure over the sharp trip. Onto our feature of the day and HEDGED (5) does look the one to beat. He was a bit disappointing as favourite in the Meteorite at Cranbourne two back but bounced back with a dominant 2.5 length win in the Xmas Stakes on Boxing Day. Seems to have found his groove for the Bedggood yard and and will take beating again. The class of the field is MAHARBA (1) who has to lug the 60kg. He didn't really fire last time in but tackled some hot races at G1 level. This is more his go and remember he was unlucky not to beat an airborne Overpass in The Quokka last year. AVIATRESS (3) is a ripper mare. She got the bob over Boston Rocks two back which ties in with Hedged, third to that horse in the Xmas Stakes last time. She'll be right there again. AZTEC RULER (4) is a WA sprinter with form around the top Perth horses as well as Rey Magnerio who would be favourite in this. Wary. SAMANGU (8) can improve up to 1200m but needs to. SUGGESTED PLAY: Hedged to win.
1 x408x MAHARBA
GRAHAME BEGG
5YO  BAY  GELDING 60.0KG
G Towzell & Mrs M Towzell
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of ten months. Finished off last campaign second last of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G1 William Reid March 22 over 1200m, soft track; 6 len behind Schwarz carrying 58.5kg at $19. First up last campaign fourth of 7 at Caulfield in the G2 Rubiton February 8 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Rey Magnerio carrying 58.5kg at $3.80. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Best form rates highly.
2
JORDAN CHILDS
Black And Orange Halves, Orange Cap
2 78x47 LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO
DAN MEAGHER
8YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
L S Mong
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 at Caulfield in the LR Doveton Stks on November 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Aviatress with 60kg at $26. Second run from a spell did the work up front then tired 7th of 14 at Pakenham Supernova on December 13 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Warnie carrying 58kg at $20. Has a bit to find.
3
L NOLEN
Dark Blue, Gold Band With Stars, Stars Sleeves And Cap
3 3x213 AVIATRESS
RICHARD & CHANTELLE JOLLY
5YO  B/BR  MARE 58.0KG
Price Bloodstock Management Ltd (Mgr: J G Chapman)
Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside in the LR Xmas Stks on December 26 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Hedged with 60kg at $4.40. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by a neck at Caulfield LR Doveton Stks November 29 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Boston Rocks carrying 56kg at $3.80. Going well and should be right there again.
9
M J ZAHRA
Royal Blue, White And Red Band, White Sleeves, Royal Blue And Red Armbands, Quartered Cap
4 07426 AZTEC RULER
STEFAN VAHALA
6YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
A T Biacsi, D Angely, C J Biacsi, A Boyd, G J Carruthers, S K Linke, B J Nash, M W Naughton, K Sutherland, B Thomas, PG Little, B J Willox, K M Kwok, A J Lannen, K M M L D M (Mgr: R O'Connor), I G B Zhang & R Gao
Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 at Ascot in the G3 Gold Rush on December 13 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Rey Magnerio with 59kg at $51. The start before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Ascot in the LR Carbine Club on November 22 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57.5kg at $6. Smart Perth sprinter who can measure up.
6
CHRIS PARNHAM
White With Blue Dot, Orange And Blue Striped Sleeves, White Cap
5 26271 HEDGED
GAVIN BEDGGOOD
5YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
RTD Racing (Mgr: R Norton), G Franklin, P Mcelvogue, C Bourke, Mrs L Robertson, Olke Alice (Mgr: G Koch), D Mcginnes, D+A Racing, The Middle, Ms M Stewart, PBFF Racing, P Harrison, Bay Boys, Ms J Michael, T Hunter, A Graeber, Gravel Pits Racing, LN Racing, The Crown Racing & Keep Livin
Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside LR Xmas Stks December 26 over 1200m defeating Nadal carrying 57.5kg at $4.20. The start before that sat behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 14 at Cranbourne Meteorite on November 22 over 1200m, 4 len behind Jigsaw carrying 57kg at $3.60. Far too good last time and can win again.
5
HARRY COFFEY
Royal Blue, Red Dice And Seams
6 1958x DISNECK
BJORN BAKER
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Bjorn Baker Racing (Mgr: B Baker), S Craig, G1G Colts & Breeding P/L (Mgr: G Diamond), M Hunter, P Iemma, Isca Consulting 2022 (Mgr: D Moylan), A Kateiva, A Lee, A Long, E Malouf, D Murray, T Murrie, D O'Neill, T Owsnett, Tagsir, A Pulsford, K Salagic, C Sinclair, C Algie & Algie Brothers
Gelding back from a spell of nine weeks. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation second last of 9 at this track in the LR Fisher Stakes November 8 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 9 len behind Need Some Luck carrying 55kg at $10. Previously first up; sixth of 10 at Rosehill July Sprint July 19 over 1100m, soft track; 2 len behind Romeo's Choice with 54kg at $14. Wouldn't shock.
10
D W STACKHOUSE
Black, White Hoops, Diamonds Sleeves, Diamond Cap
7 78635 PRAIRIE FLOWER
WILL CLARKEN
6YO  BAY  MARE 54.0KG
Bell View Park Stud (Mgr: A P Mackrell)
Last start 5th of 9 at Morphettville in the LR Xmas Hcp on December 27 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Klabel with 56.5kg at $4.40. The start before that 3rd of 9 at Caulfield in the LR Doveton Stks on November 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; neck behind Aviatress with 54kg at $12. Can't have.
9
LACHLAN NEINDORF
Royal Blue, Lime Green Vee, Checked Sleeves, Lime Green Cap
8 311x6 SAMANGU
GRAHAME BEGG
5YO  BAY  MARE 54.0KG
D M D B Syndicate, Grahame Begg Racing, E Knezevic, Bingo Bango Racing, LKO, Sandy Benders Racing, S J Davies, P W Dick, R Joynes, D Brakell, Horse at the Front, D G Crowden, D J Oliphant, M N Tucker, S Tucker, A Hart & R J Hughes
Second run back. First-up after 10 months ran last in a small field at Caulfield Heath Bm90 on December 20 over 1000m, 5 len behind Chinqui with 58.5kg at $4.80. Previously second-up scored a big 3.5 len win at Caulfield Heath F&M Bm64 December 4 2024 over 1200m defeating Runaway Statement carrying 59.5kg at $1.40. Can improve sharply here.
1
MICHAEL DEE
Navy Blue, Gold Prancing Horse, Sleeves And Cap
9 x4254 MAJOR SHARE
ADAM CHAMBERS
5YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
Mrs M Chambers, North Warrnambool, BLG Racing, P Barmby, P Vivarelli, G May, B Messner, M Darmody, H Trigg, I A Chambers, M K Walmsley, Ms M Whelan, Keilambete, M Glennen, J Conheady, J Davis, P Moloney, R Primmer, J Kelly & Couldn't Be Happier 2
Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside in the LR Xmas Stks on December 26 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Hedged carrying 56kg at $6.50. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 at Ballarat Bm100 on December 6 over 1100m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind South Of India carrying 58kg at $3.50. Minor hope.
8
T P MADDEN
Navy Blue, Emerald Green Seams, White And Emerald Green Chevrons Sleeves
10 35706 EXTRATWO
CIARON MAHER
6YO  BAY  MARE 54.0KG
Ciaron Maher Racing, W A Bourne, Bell View Park, N A Greenhalgh, Mrs M T Greenhalgh, A R E Investments, M Belford, L Caminiti, B C Sellenger, M Sellenger, J Garvey, Mrs A N Raffoul, M Johnston, N A Johnston, B T Redmond, B Thomas, Five Pickets Racing, M W Luttick, C Oliver & O Shields
Last start 6th of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside in the LR Xmas Stks on December 26 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Hedged carrying 54kg at $26. The start before that 12th of 14 at Cranbourne Meteorite on November 22 over 1200m, 6 len behind Jigsaw with 55kg at $81. Would have to improve.
11
JAMIE MELHAM
Royal Blue, Lime Green Vee, Checked Sleeves, Lime Green Cap
11 00x88 CONTEMPORARY
LINDSEY SMITH
6YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
Mr C Wells, W B Andrews Breeding & Racing, Mr A Inglis, Mr J Farac, Mr A Farac, Echunga Racing Syndicate, MLBCC Syndicate
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming sat on the speed throughout before fading 8th of 11 at Ballarat Bm100 on December 6 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4 len behind South Of India with 55.5kg at $13. Last start second last of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside in the LR Xmas Stks on December 26 over 1200m, 5 len behind Hedged carrying 55.5kg at $41. Out of his depth.
4
C NEWITT
Light Blue And Green Halves With Red Spoke Wheel
12 05312 CELSIUS STAR
SHAWN MATHRICK
7YO  BROWN  GELDING 54.0KG
B A Mathrick, Finger Tippers (Mgr: J Wolk), Mrs K M Mathrick, P Elliott, D Allen, K Ear, D J Scott, L Batten, M O'Neill & D Coulthard
Most recently 2nd of 8 at Cranbourne Bm84 on December 27 over 1200m, long-neck behind Meridius carrying 57kg at $7. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.0 len at Caulfield Heath Bm74 December 20 over 1200m defeating Miss Icelandic with 59.5kg at $26. Hard to have in this tough line-up.
7
HANNAH EDGLEY
Purple, Black Stars, Pink Sleeves, Black Armbands, Purple Cap