Chris Waller is aiming to extend his dominant autumn campaign, with Joliestar favored to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington this Saturday.

Joliestar is a genuine winning hope in Saturday’s 2025 Newmarket Handicap for the Waller stable. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Following his Group 1 double in Sydney last weekend, Waller is hoping to replicate that success in Melbourne.

Joliestar, a four-year-old daughter of Zoustar, heads the Newmarket Handicap betting at $5.50 through Ladbrokes.

Waller, who won the race with Brazen Beau in 2015, is looking to end a decade-long drought.

Joliestar’s recent run in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes has her primed for this race, and she’ll be ridden by Damian Lane from barrier eight.

Waller also saddles up Gatsby’s ($14), who will jump from the outside barrier 15 of 15 in the Newmarket field.

The Snitzel colt, who finished fifth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, will carry a lightweight of 50kg.

Stretan Angel ($7) and Growing Empire ($7.50) are also among the leading contenders.

Stretan Angel, trained by Phillip Stokes, is aiming for her first win since the Danehill Stakes in October 2023.

However, her recent form, including a fourth in November’s Group 1 Champions Sprint at the track and trip, suggests she’s more than up to a Newmarket win.

Growing Empire, trained by Ciaron Maher, is looking to become the third consecutive three-year-old to win the Newmarket Handicap.

His spring form, which included placings in the Manikato, The Everest, and the Coolmore Stud Stakes, makes him a strong contender.

“Growing Empire is the best fancied of the 3YOs in the Newmarket Handicap field to make it three straight wins for the young guns in the famous Flemington sprint!” a racing analyst from Races.com.au stated.

Maher also saddles up Buenos Noches ($19), who is making his first start for the stable.

Robbie Griffiths‘ Rey Magnerio ($9) is another key contender, coming off a Group 2 Rubiton win and a third in the Oakleigh Plate.

Rey Magnerio meanwhile is the other runner under $10 Newmarket Handicap odds.

Third-up and fit at Headquarters the Magnus five-year-old resumed with a narrow Group 2 Rubiton win at Caulfield two back before finishing third to Jimmysstar in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.

He gets up to the six-furlongs now, which he’s got a strong strike-rate over (7:2-3-1), and he’s a gun down the straight with plenty of past Flemington form to rely on.

Rey Magnerio was narrowly denied here in a Group 3 photo-finish over the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year before winning his last start at Flemington after that in Black-Type company just seven days later.

The early market mover is Headwall ($14), trained by Matthew Smith, who will carry 52.5kg.

Benedetta ($10), trained by Jason Warren, will carry the top weight of 57kg.

“Headwall for Matthew Smith is the early Newmarket market mover in from $18 to $14,” a Ladbrokes representative stated.

“He’ll jump from a nice gate four draw on a manageable 56kg and looks to be going at career best.

The 2025 Newmarket Handicap promises to be a thrilling contest, with a strong field of sprinters vying for victory in Flemington Race 9.

2025 Newmarket Handicap Field

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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