Tim's Tips for Chairman's Handicap Day
TIM HABEL was a racing journalist with the Sun, then Herald-Sun for 36 years and now works as a contributor for The Age. His selections are published mid-week and each Saturday.
CAULFIELD JANUARY 31, 2026, rail 4m, track good 4
RACE 1: TARVUE 1, Jenni's Meadow 2, Bold Soul 3, Magnaspin 4
RACE 2: MADAME MASERATI 1, Du Clisson 2, Castellar 3, Runlikeanencryption 4
RACE 3: TARZING 1, Tazima 2, Hedonist 3, Illyivy 4
RACE 4: AMERICAN WOLF 1, Sun Gift 2, Dictionary 3, Stylish Secret 4
RACE 5: FALSET STAR 1, Our Chief 2, Jenni Gone Bonkers 3, Komito 4
RACE 6: BIG SKY 1, Jadzia 2, Mirador 3, Invincible Son 4
RACE 7: AVIATRESS 1, Damask Rose 2, Bossy Benita 3, Little Deep 4
Aviatress races well here and will appreciate the return to mares company and set weights. Damask Rose ran a top race fresh here at this trip in the spring, Bossy Benita is the likely leader while A Little Deep is another suited at set weights.
RACE 8: GALLANT SON 1, Rue De Royale 2, Sweethearted 3, Gracie's Rain 4
Gallant Son is a classy galloper, won well resuming at Flemington at 1000m and can repeat out to 1100m. Has the pace to sit behind likely leader Gracie's Rain, just needs room in the straight. Rue De Royale is racing well and the danger.
RACE 9: MIDNITE SON 1, Pure Alpha 2, Brung King 3, Georgie Get Maid 4
UK import which impressed on Australian debut with a Flemington win. The extra 200m is ideal, Pure Alpha is ready to win after two Sydney runs.
RACE 10: STEALTH OF KNIGHT 1, Dirty Grin 2, Harry's Yacht 3, Porter 4
Stealth Of Knight is building an impressive CV, four wins and two seconds. Makes his own luck on pace so barrier two is gold.
BEST BETS: Stealth Of Knight, Gallant Son. VALUE: Falset Star
THE $20 FLEXI QUADDIE
1st leg: 3, 4, 7, 11
2nd leg: 3, 4
3rd leg: 7, 8
4th leg: 16
For a $20 outlay you would receive 125 per cent of a $1 dividend.