Fliedner, Stanley kick-start year at Flemington

Fliedner, the reigning Bendigo trainer of the year, will saddle up the two-year-old filly Incorporation in the opening event at racing headquarters.

The daughter of Territories and Storm Kite heads into the 1000m event with some solid lead-up form, having won an 850m trial at Tatura on December 8 and an 800m jump out at Bendigo on November 30.

She will be ridden by 2021 Bendigo Cup-winning jockey Harry Coffey, who ended the year in style with a double at Echuca on Friday, with wins for Kyneton trainer Liam Howley aboard Master Bartholdi and Jamie Scott on Clifton Hill.

A field of only six will contest the 1000m event, with Incorporation to start from barrier one.

Fellow Bendigo trainer Brent Stanley will also be looking to strike early at Flemington with his middle distance performer I Am News.

A city winner at Sandown in late-November, the four-year-old gelding will contest a benchmark 70 over 1600m and will be ridden by Jake Noonan.

Stanley, who has trained nine winners this season, will be chasing a third career victory from eight starts with I Am News.

Meanwhile, the first of six races at Hanging Rock on Saturday is scheduled for 1.50pm, with the last at 5.10pm.

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