Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien is expecting a forward showing from Iconoclasm when he resumes in the Group 3 $160,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Iconoclasm, is one of the top chances in the 2019 Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Iconoclasm, is one of the top chances in the 2019 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Iconoclasm is having his first run back after finishing fifth in a 1400m Handicap at Flemington on June 8 and O’Brien is expecting another bold effort from the five year old at his first attempt down the Flemington straight.

“Iconoclasm is going well,” O’Brien told the Herald Sun.

“It’s his first time down the straight but he doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

“The expectation is that he will run well again.”

Iconoclasm is the winner of eight of his eighteen race starts with his latest victory being in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on April 27.

O’Brien has tested the five year old four times at Group 1 level for four unplaced efforts, his latest an eleventh behind Despatch in the $750,000 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May during the 2019 Adelaide Autumn Carnival.

Iconoclasm has drawn barrier three in the fifteen horse Aurie’s Star Handicap field with Brett Prebble booked to ride and the gelding is well in contention in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $7 alongside of the Mike Moroney trained Milwaukee behind the $4.40 favourite Sesar.

The Team Hawkes trained Sesar has been installed the favourite despite running a shocker as the short priced top pick when sixth to Scales Of Justice in the Group 3 $160,000 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 27.

Sesar looked like he was ready for a big Spring Carnival after scoring an impressive first up win in the $125,000 Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick on June 22 but the Sebring four year old was never in contention at Caulfield.

Sesar had drawn barrier fourteen with new jockey Dwayne Dunn expecting a better performance than his Caulfield flop.

“He’ll be better for that run at Caulfield,” Dunn told Racenet.

“He’s definitely good enough and I’m happy he’s drawn where he has.”

“You would suggest the outside would be the better spot than the inside but that track has been playing really well lately.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.