Aurie’s Star Handicap: Saab Hasan confident Sirius Suspect can make winning return at Flemington

Sticking to what one knows could bring Saab Hasan another Group 3 win with Sirius Suspect in Saturday’s Aurie Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

Hasan has had Sirius Suspect for 16 starts but the trainer hasn’t travelled far with the sprinter, who has had 12 starts for the trainer on the Flemington track.

The trainer said Sirius Suspect would not race anywhere else during his spring campaign.

The Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality and the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic are also potential Flemington straight-track targets for the son of Wanted.

Sirius Suspect’s three wins for Hasan have been over 1200m at Flemington, including in the Group 3 Standish Handicap on New Year’s Day.

Hasan said the Standish Handicap form should measure up in Saturday’s $200,000 feature.

“I think if you can win a Standish, you can win an Aurie’s Star,” Hasan said.

Sirius Suspect is yet to win first-up but has impressed at his last two first-up runs.

He ran third to quality sprinting mare Exhilarates on Melbourne Cup day and finished two lengths from Zoutori when resuming in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in March.

Trainer Saab Hasan will keep Sirius Suspect to races only at Flemington during the spring. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Hasan said Sirius Suspect was unlucky not to win the Newmarket Handicap.

“I can make an argument that he probably should have gone close to winning the Newmarket without taking anything away from the horses that ran one, two, three in that race,” Hasan said.

Damien Oliver will ride Sirius Suspect after Jamie Kah decided to pilot Aysar in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.

Hasan said drawing barrier 13 would help Oliver guide Sirius Suspect into a winning position early in the race.

“He’s drawn a beautiful barrier in 13, which is ideal for him,” Hasan said.

“If he has nothing on his outside, I think he’ll focus a bit better and be on the speed and be hard to run down.

“He’ll lead anything on his day but he’s just got to get into a rhythm and do it himself and he’ll breathe a lot better.

“When he draws out there, he’s very hard to run down.”

TAB has Sirius Suspect as a $9 chance in Aurie’s Star Handicap betting.

The Astrologist is the $4.40 favourite in an open market.

Originally published asSaab is Sirius about winning return in Aurie’s Star

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