The Aurie Star Handicap, named in honour of a great sprinter, has often proved the launching pad for a successful spring aspirant.

Whether Saturday’s winner, Broken, will go on to spring riches is not known, most likely he will be in the paddock as he has been up quite a while, he may be put away for races like the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket Handicap.

Broken was taken for granted as being a merely 1000 metres horse, as all his recent form was restricted to that distance.

However, the additional distance of the Aurie Star was not a problem; he raced midfield until 200 metres out when he issued his assault on the leading division.

Had the distance been further the margin would have been greater, he was doing his best work on the line.

The favourite, Riziz, raced handy for most of the trip but was found wanting when the real pressure was applied, he will return to Adelaide where he will spell.

Temple Of Boom ran his usual honest race; he was only caught in the last few strides by the winner.

Pelicano, out of the Tony McEvoy yard, was first up since March, he will be improved by the run, there could be a race for him in the coming weeks, while Cavallo Nero was another that came under notice.

Broken wins Aurie Star

The signs were positive that spring is on the way after star mare, Commanding Jewel, satisfied her trainer, Leon Corstens, galloping at Moonee Valley yesterday.

Ridden in the gallop, by Damian Oliver, she looked a picture striding out with Fantome Gris as a companion; the time for the final 200 metres was 11.53 secs.

While Corstens was thrilled with the mare and how she pulled up, however, he is not going to be pressed into a firm decision as to when she will have her first start after such a long break.

She will be the decision maker; it will now depend on how well she does in the stable over the coming week or so, just like a game of chess the next move is hers.

An enforced break through injury has seen the mare off the racing scene for 10 months, since her win in the Thousand Guineas, thus she has missed much of her three year old season, no risks will be taken with her now.

Her connections have been patient with the mare, time has been the deciding factor, a couple of more weeks won’t make much difference, if it is all for the welfare of the mare.

Commanding Jewel - Nearly ready to resume 

Clevadude made a one act affair of the Sweeney Can Do Agents B M 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley.

The issue was never in doubt at any stage, after flying the gates he led from the outset and was untroubled to win by a length, but whether he would have got much further is debatable; he was running out of gas when he hit the line.

That was his first run in since finishing nearly last in Magic Millions back in January, after winning previously at Cranbourne and Moonee Valley.

There was not a lot confidence about in the Hore-Lacy camp, the trainer admitted prior to the race he had not backed the gelding and we all know he likes a bet.

I am yet to be convinced at this stage if he will get much further than yesterday’s win over 1000 metres, and he could be just a Moonee Valley specialist, the jury is out on that at present.

Some members of the media questioned Hore-Lacy about the Caulfield Guineas, that is 10 weeks away and a lot of water will flow under the bridge between now and then.

Excuses were made for the odds on favourite Cauthen, sure he did cop a bump 700 metres out but whether it cost him the race is another matter that is another case for the jury to decide.

Clevadude - Too speedie

There are spring plans out for Gregers after her easy win in the Aquanas Foods BM 78 Handicap, that was no more than a walk in the park for the David Hayes trained filly.

She looks as if she will get much further, that was the impression after making the home turn 10 wide, the winning margin was four and a quarter lengths, it could have been greater had the rider desired.

It’s a case of steady as she goes with Hayes, he has time on his side, there will be no rushing, he will be guided by how the filly pulls up before any quick decisions are made.

Naturally the trainer was quite impressed with the performance, there is no question once her coat breaks the picture will be much clearer, as to which directions she takes.

She a nicely bred filly, as her pedigree suggests, one of those former Woodlands nicks being by Commands, from Satnav, by Canny Lad, with two Golden Slipper winners in the dam line and three crosses of Star Kingdom, two through Biscay and one of Kaoru Star, all she needs now is a dose of Black Type and she is a very valuable filly.

Gregers looking good in winning

A well laid plan between trainer, Colin Little, and jockey Ben Knobel, paid dividends with the success of Text’N Hurley in the Richard Hogg Handicap at Caulfield.

That was her first city start after three previous runs at Bendigo, where she has been in the money each time, the most recent run being a convincing win.

The plan to ride the filly closer to the pace was carried out to the letter by Knobel, he had her well positioned when heads were turned for home.

While Little was outlining future plans for Text’N Hurley, he didn’t miss Knobel with the quote, “a great ride”

Text'N Hurley - A promising filly

The filly will remain in work for the present, there is still some nice races about for her following that win, while she will most likely miss the spring there is still the autumn, and that is worth waiting for, that is sure to be pencilled into her program.

Are There Any, best backed to beat the favourite, Text’N Hurley, was knocked from pillar to post attempting a rails run, she was lucky not to have fallen in the straight.

It would be hard to find the best run in the race outside of the winner she was impressive she can go on and win again in similar company.

Colin Little with Ben Knobel