Flemington delivered a decisive, high-tempo afternoon on Saturday, January 10, as the Victoria Racing Club rolled out the VRC Standish Handicap Race Day 2026, a ten-race program run between 12:20pm and 5:55pm. With the summer sprinting season building momentum, the meeting blended depth, opportunity, and history, culminating in a feature that once again underlined its relevance on the national calendar.
The marquee event – Standish Handicap, First run in 1886 and named after Captain Frederick Standish, a key architect of the Melbourne Cup’s early vision, the Standish has long served as a proving ground for elite sprinters. Its honour roll features horses that progressed to the highest level, and this edition again reinforced the race’s role as a launching pad toward the Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap later in the season.
Disneck, a five-year-old bay gelding trained by Bjorn Baker, stood tallest when it mattered most, capturing Race 8 – the Group 3 Standish Handicap ($200,000) in 1:10.70. Ridden with precision by D.W. Stackhouse, Disneck asserted late authority to defeat Extratwo, with Contemporary closing off the placings.
Earlier, Flying Done, a three-year-old bay-brown gelding prepared by M.J. Williams, set the tone in Race 1 – TAB WE’RE ON, dictating terms under D. Yendall to score in 1:36.86. Our Chief chased gamely into second, while Jenni Gone Bonkers filled third.
Sun Gift, a tough five-year-old grey-brown mare from the Danny O’Brien stable, showcased stamina and control in Race 2 – Honouring Our Jockeys Plate, staying on strongly under J. Melham to win in 2:04.54 for owner M. Chittick. Trapalanda and American Wolf completed the frame.
Speed took centre stage in Race 3 – Jockey Celebration Sprint, where Jenni The Ninja, a sharp three-year-old bay filly trained by Gavin Bedggood, accelerated cleanly to stop the clock at 1:04.99. B. Mertens delivered the filly perfectly for Cape Schanck Stud, holding off Military Tycoon, with Conscience third.
Tarvue, a seasoned five-year-old bay mare trained by John Sadler, brought grit and consistency to Race 4 – Off The Track Trophy, grinding out a win in 1:50.58 under L.K. Cartwright for owners A.A. and S.L. Marsden. I Only Wish and Suntora followed her home.
Momentum stayed with the Maher camp in Race 5 – National Jockeys Trust Trophy, where Midnite Storm, a five-year-old bay horse, surged late under R. Whearty to score in 1:37.69, defeating His Finest Hour and Watersports.
Raw pace defined Race 6 – Jockey Assistance Program Sprint, as Gallant Son, trained by Peter G. Moody and Katherine Coleman, exploded over the final furlong to clock 58.63. Emily Pozman partnered the four-year-old brown horse for D & M Esplin Pty Ltd, edging Along The River, with Castellar third.
In Race 7 – Henry Byron Moore Handicap, Welcometotheshow, a four-year-old bay horse trained by Tyler Donaldson-Aitken, produced a polished mile to win in 1:35.91. C. Newitt rode for owners T Donaldson-Aitken and TJJW Racing, ahead of Sneaky Sunrise and Teardrop Rotation.
Late fireworks followed. Fission, a six-year-old brown gelding trained by Robbie Griffiths, landed Race 9 – Victorian Jockeys Association Trophy in 1:11.29 under L.K. Cartwright, beating Flying Mikki and Rue De Royale.
The day closed with authority as Porter, a five-year-old bay gelding from the Danny O’Brien yard, claimed Race 10 – George Watson Handicap in 1:23.07. Logan James Bates steered home from Paradise City, with Fear No Evil third.
From emerging three-year-olds to a historically charged sprint feature, Flemington Race Results 10 January delivered clarity, speed, and consequence, reaffirming Flemington’s role as the stage where summer racing sharpens into something far more serious.
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