Epsom Handicap

Distance 1600m Grade Group 1 Track Rating Soft 5 Prizemoney $1,000,000 Class Handicap 2018 winner Hartnell ($20) The Randwick 1600m is considered one of the toughest tests in racing and at Group 1 level, is widely admired and steeped in a long history. Naturally, the Epsom Handicap attracts a high quality field and those entered for his year's edition are considered amongst the best milers in the country. I am with one who has had the perfect build up and is less exposed than most, following a luckless run last start when he was hard in betting markets.     Randwick Track Traits The Randwick surface is currently rated a Soft 5, with the rail out 3m the entire circuit and fine conditions predicted for Saturday. With the rail in this position and a drying surface, I expect the track to play fair. However, in recent meetings a southerly wind (tailwind) has strongly favoured the leaders.   As always, a close watch is advised early to determine any fast lanes or bias.      Racing Market Movers The Rock has been the best backed runner in early betting, firming from an opening $7 to now trade at $6. All other runners remain steady.    Key Runners #1 Dreamforce $6.50 Faces a stiff test to carve across from the outside gate and lead, hence I'm more than happy to take him on here at $6.50. Expect the rider to press forward, even if some of his rivals hunt up early on his inside. That spells doom inside the final 100m, where he will be forced to "come up for air". Has the form, but the ugly speed map clearly says no. Avoid and expect a market drift.    #2 Best Of Days $17 Seems to have lost the spark of past preparations, however does come out of Melbourne Group 1 grade and rarely competes below that level. He could be the big improver here, going off his last start 8 of 14 in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes where he worked home well. I have a few ahead of him, but it would not completely shock to see him in the finish. Could be worth a bet if he gets out to big odds ($25+).    #4 Te Akau Shark $7 Was unlucky not to finish closer here last start on his Australian debut, when he encountered traffic throughout the run. He carries a massive boom, with the sectional times from last start suggesting he is very good. He recorded the fastest final 400m in that run and can bounce back to winning form in this. Look for him to get well back, before unleashing hell late. Yes.     #5 Gem Song $11 Both runs back have been excellent, where last start he chased hard to finish 2 of 8 in the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill. He gets up to 1600m for the first time this prep which is ideal, and the stable have suggested he still has plenty of improvement.  The speed map looks perfect from gate 5 and I expect him to be fighting out the finish. Leading chance.    #9 Kolding $5.50 Looks the one to my eye, following a slashing win last start in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie. He was slightly easy in betting late last start, which would suggest they have left plenty of fitness in the tank for this. This has been the target all along and trust the Waller camp to have him peaking on the day. Should be winning.    #10 Rock $7.00 > $6.00 Is the new kid on the block and has emerged as a genuine Group 1 hope very quickly. The win at Newcastle last start was exceptional and although it was in much lesser grade being a Group 3, he gets no weight (50.5kg) for this. He will position midfield and be looking to mow them all down late.   #14 Star Of The Seas $16  Was hard in betting late last start, before finishing 9 of 10 after being buried throughout and never seeing clean air. I have to forgive that effort and given more luck here, he is right in this. The mugs will drop right off now, however look for him to be popular with the pro punters late in betting. Top hope.   Of The Others #20 Junipal is a genuine lightweight (50kg) "knockout chance". He looks to be peaking at the right time and did win over this course and distance last start, which will have some professional model players interested. Would be worth an each-way ticket if he got out beyond $30.    Best Racing Tips 1st  Kolding 2nd  Gem Song 3rd  Te Akau Shark 4th  Star Of The Seas 

Distance 1600m Grade Group 1 Track  Randwick Prizemoney $1,000,000 Class Handicap 2018 winner Hartnell ($20.00)   The Epsom Handicap sits alongside the Doncaster Mile as Sydney's premier Group One mile races.    Not only does the winner of the Epsom receive the first prize of $500,000, but they also become exempt from ballot for the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes run in Autumn.  Past winners of the Epsom Handicap include superstars Super Impose (1990, 1991), Desert War (2004,2005) and Winx (2015).  The early favourite in all-in markets for the 2019 Epsom is the Kiwi raider, Te Akau Shark. This son of Rip Van Winkle comes off a strong second in the Group Two Tramway Stakes and looks ready to peak at his second Australian start. In a huge push for his chances, gun jockey James McDonald stays on board following their last start placing.  Other nominations of note include the Godolphin owned Cascadian ($11) and the Team Hayes and Dabernig trained Fifty Stars ($31). Both gallopers look likely to take their place in the field and are good value at the double figure odds.    Nominations for the 2019 Group One Epsom Handicap are below:    Horse Name Trainer Weight (kg) DREAMFORCE John Thompson 57 MISTER SEA WOLF (IRE) Chris Waller 53 KOLDING (NZ) Chris Waller 50.5 ROCK Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 50.5 HAPPY CLAPPER Patrick Webster 59.5 HARTNELL (GB) James Cummings 58.5 SAMADOUBT Bjorn Baker 56.5 ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 55.5 BEST OF DAYS (GB) James Cummings 55 FIFTY STARS (IRE) David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 54.5 LIFE LESS ORDINARY (IRE) Chris Waller 54.5 MR QUICKIE Phillip Stokes 54.5 TE AKAU SHARK (NZ) Jamie Richards 54.5 INVINCIBLE GEM Kris Lees 52.5 CLIFF’S EDGE Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 54 ECKSTEIN Chris Waller 52 SO SI BON David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 54 YOUNGSTAR Chris Waller 52 CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES Bjorn Baker 51.5 VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) Chris Waller 51.5 KINGS WILL DREAM (IRE) Chris Waller 53 AMPHITRITE David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 51 UNFORGOTTEN Chris Waller 51 YULONG PRINCE (SAF) Chris Waller 52.5 GEM SONG Kris Lees 52 NOIRE Chris Waller 50.5 NIGHT’S WATCH (NZ) Chris Waller 51.5 REDOUBLE Bjorn Baker 51.5 SIKANDARABAD (IRE) David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 51.5 TALLY James Cummings 51.5 TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) Chris Waller 51.5 AVANTAGE Jamie Richards 50.5 CAPTAIN COOK (GB) Chris Waller 50 EL DORADO DREAMING Kris Lees 50 QAFILA David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 MATERIAL MAN Pat Carey 51 MR MARATHON MAN (GB) Michael Moroney 51 CON TE PARTIRO (USA) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 50 FASTNET TEMPEST (IRE) David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 51 MANTASTIC (IRE) Chris Waller 51 SESAR Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 50.5 FIERCE IMPACT (JPN) Matthew Smith 50 OOHOOD Tony & Calvin McEvoy 50 POHUTUKAWA James Cummings 50 SPANISH WHISPER David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 ARCHEDEMUS Gwenda Markwell 50.5 LE JUGE (IRE) Chris Waller 50.5 DYSLEXIC Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 50 MAHAMEDEIS Nick Ryan 50 STAR OF THE SEAS (NZ) Chris Waller 50 ALOISIA (NZ) Anthony Freedman 50 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings 50 FUNDAMENTALIST David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 NETTOYER Wendy Roche 50 SO YOU WIN Chris Waller 50 WREN’S DAY (USA) James Cummings 50 KAONIC (NZ) Chris Waller 50 THE CANDY MAN Barry Baldwin 50 LOOKS LIKE ELVIS Bryan Dais 50 YOURDEEL (NZ) David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 48 CHAPADA Michael Moroney 50 ROMANCER (NZ) Grahame Begg 50 CONNEMARA Bjorn Baker 50 LONG LEAF David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 DESERT LORD Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 50 GOATHLAND (IRE) Kim Waugh 50 MURAAQEB David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 SEABURGE David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 PENSKE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 50 JUNIPAL Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 50 MIRETTE Archie Alexander 50 PURPLE SECTOR (NZ) John Thompson 50 TRIBAL WISDOM Michael Moroney 50 DEALMAKER Chris Waller 50 MISTER SONGMAN Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 50 JUST THINKIN’ Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 48 BALLER Anthony Cummings 50 TOFANE (NZ) Michael Moroney 50 DAWN PASSAGE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 48 GOOD ’N’ FAST David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 MICKEY BLUE EYES David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 50 HURRICANE FIGHTER (NZ) Michael Moroney 50 SHOTMAKER Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 48

Distance 1600m Grade Group 1 Track Rating Soft 5 Prizemoney $1,000,000 Class Handicap, 3YO & Up  2017 winner Happy Clapper ($2.40) The Epsom Handicap always attracts an exceptional field, largely due to its history as one of the nation's most famous 1600m races. This year has not disappointed, with quality everywhere you look, and a nice blend of both sprinting and longer distance types. There looks to be an abundance of speed engaged here and this may set it up for one who has had the luxurious smother, just in behind the leading division. With a rain effected surface predicted, this race is wide open and could favour those accustomed to distances beyond the mile.      Randwick Track Traits Royal Randwick is currently rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 3m the entire circuit and wet conditions predicted for Saturday. With rain likely, the track surface will be effected however Randwick does have excellent drainage and can cope with significant downpours. Historically, wet conditions have tended to bring out bias where riders have preferred to angle toward the outside fence. Expect the outside barriers to be advantaged late in the day, as the inside chops out and jockeys look to scout wide for the better going.    Racing Market Movers Early support in betting has been seen for Unforgotten, who has been backed into $4.20 favourite from an opening quote of $4.50. Opening favourite D'Argento is on the drift and has eased from $4 out to $4.40. A longer priced move for Nettoyer, $151 into $61, is also noted.    Key Runners #2 Pierata $4.80 No doubt he should have won here last start, when trapped wide throughout and he was grabbed right on the peg by Siege Of Quebec. That run was enormous and will have him cherry ripe in the fitness department for a strong showing here over more ground. I loved the way he flattened out mid-way down the straight in the run to the line last start and expect that we have not seen the best of him yet.  The Randwick mile is considered one of the toughest in the country and generally takes a stout profile to be competitive, which he looks to have in spades backed up by his breeding. Will get the dream run just in behind a genuine tempo and must go on top.   #3 D'Argento $4.00 > $4.40 Disappointed when backed into favourite late last start in the Theo Marks, where he was beaten 2 lengths into second placing. That was on a Heavy 10 and as proven last week, it may pay to forgive any poor performances on the day due to the state of the track. The speed map looks great for him here with a ton of speed expected to press forward, which will allow him to run-on. Would have preferred him drawing away from the rail as he looks likely to get buried back along the inside. He will need luck when picking his way through however if he gets it, he will be right in the finish. Leading chance.   #7 Unforgotten  $4.50 > $4.20 Has an explosive turn of foot and will have no problem running the 1600m right out. The connections have also entered her in The Metropolitan (2,400m) and have opted to accept here instead. That appears to be a shrewd decision, considering the speed in this race looks hot and will set up perfectly for a horse that has genuine staying ability. She will get back and be running home over the top late, however it would not surprise if they try to push up closer and race midfield from the good ally in gate 3. No doubt she simply wins if the leaders go warp speed. Top hope.   #16 Siege Of Quebec $13 The SP profile is enormous for him, where he has been heavily backed at all three runs this preparation and finally repaid the faithful when saluting here last start. He is clearly very good however this is next level and although he did beat leading fancy Pierata at his last start, there is no doubt the latter was terribly unlucky. This looks to be much deeper and expect him to find a number of these too strong. Not a genuine Group 1 horse to my eye and happy to oppose from the wide draw (gate 14). No.   Of The Others #11 Lanciato has a lethal turn of foot late and warrants respect if they go hard up front. They may bet big odds and if there is a strong run-on bias, he would be worth including in everything.     Best Racing Tips 1st  Pierata 2nd  Unforgotten 3rd  D'Argento 4th  Lanciato Follow the Randwick track experts in our Randwick tips market. Pro punters and Australia's racing media experts are listed in order of profitability.