So Si Bon after winning the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington on August 10, 2019. (Natasha Morello/Racing Photos)
Image: Stephen Mowbray the Queensland winter forced the hand of O’Brien. He needed to give the 4YO a let up prior to coming to Melbourne. The Aurie’s Star Handicap did get its recognition in recent years and was upgraded to Listed status in 2005 when Niconero won and has been a Group 3 since 2010. Prior to 2005, it was the most competitive 1200 metre race run in Victoria with no black type status.
Aurie’s Star, the horse, was a flying machine from Adelaide, who won 27 of 86 starts including the 1937 Group 1 Newmarket Handicap. He also won the VATC Oakleigh Plate (1937 & 39), VRC Railway Highweight as well as the VATC Christmas Handicap, Whittier Handicap and the Rosstown Plate. He was trained at Gawler, SAbyJack Doyle and ridden by Maurice McCarten in the 1937 Newmarket Handicap. McCarten would go on to train Delta to win the 1951 Melbourne Cup.
Aurie's Star Source: Australian Racing Museum
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