The time honoured Epsom Handicap will be run and won this Saturday, with a full field of 20 runners set to line up over the famous Randwick mile.
First held in 1865 the Group One feature has an honour roll filled with champion racehorses.
With the likes of Sky High, Gunsynd, Super Impose, Desert War and more recently, Winx, it’s no wonder the Epsom is held is such high regard.
This year’s edition looks to be a very open event and whilst it may be lacking the quality of recent years, it’s sure to be a thrilling race.
Rebecca Hill details her thoughts on each horse below. (Prices current at time of publish)
1. My Oberon (21)
Price: $16.00
My Oberon comes here in top order following a terrific effort in the 7 Stakes behind Fangirl.
It’s been a long time between drinks for the eight-year-old son of Dubawi, almost two years to be exact but he returned with an eye-catching trial and his two runs back have been full of merit.
He presents here at peak fitness and has been placed in three of five appearances over the Randwick mile.
With top weight and the outside gate, he does have a tough task ahead.
2. Royal Patronage (17)
Price: $6.50
Royal Patronage stamped himself as a serious Spring contender when saluting in the Tramway Stakes at his Australian debut.
The well travelled entire, kicked off his career in the UK before heading to the USA, and he has now tasted success in all three continents.
A five time winner, his best runs have been around this trip and his latest effort in the 7 Stakes, where he finished third, was full of merit.
He looks well suited in this type of race but will need luck early from the wide gate.
3. Detonator Jack (16)
Price: $18.00
Detonator Jack hasn’t been far away in two runs back this prep and Ciaron Maher looks to have him primed for this assignment.
The six year old has performed consistently throughout his 22 start career and while he’s yet to salute at Stakes level, he has been placed on several occasions and has proven himself against quality opposition.
Beaten only 1.6 lengths when resuming in the Winx Stakes, he was solid again last time going down by 1.2 behind Fangirl.
He does hold a very good third up record and with luck from the wide alley, he’s sure make his presence felt.
4. Kovalica (1)
Price: $7.00
Kovalica finished the runner up in last year’s edition of this race and looks on track to go one better this time.
The Ocean Park gelding put the writing on the wall early on in his career, winning four of his first five starts before returning to take out the Queensland Guineas and Queensland Derby in his following campaign.
He’s yet to see the winners stall since his victory in the Group One staying feature but his first up run suggests that another win may not be far away.
Settling back worse than midfield in the Tramway Stakes he let down strongly in the straight to finish third and with that run under his belt and the rise in trip, he looks ready to peak.
James McDonald sticks and barrier one will see afforded a cosy run in transit.
5. Rediener (12)
Price: $26.00
Redeiner returns looking for back to back Epsom Handicap wins.
A son of Fastnet Rock, he always looked to have a touch of class but a gelding procedure early last year seemed to be the making of him.
Sent for a break after taking out the Gunsynd Handicap during last year’s Brisbane Winter Carnival he returned in the Spring to take out the Bill Ritchie Handicap before proving too good in the Epsom.
With almost a year off the scene, he looks to have returned in top order having produced a tough effort to finish fourth in the Theo Marks Stakes.
A winner of two from three second up appearances and he’ll relish getting out to the mile here.
6. Democracy Manifest (10)
Price: $16.00
Democracy Manifest kicked off his campaign with a very encouraging effort behind stablemate Joliestar in the Show County Quality and the Flying Artie gelding was again doing his best work late after settling back at the tail in the Tramway.
His third up record doesn’t read well, but he has been given an 1100m trial since that last run to really top him off.
He finished fifth in this race last year, beaten only 1.3 lengths and he looks on track to run produce another solid performance.
Kerrin McEvoy takes the mount at 52.5kgs and there’ll be succulent Chinese meals all round for connections if he can add an Epsom Handicap to his CV.
7. Ceolwulf (14)
Price: $16.00
Ceolwulf is a quality galloper on the rise but I am surprised to see him dropping back to the mile.
Runner up in both the Rosehill Guineas and the Australian Derby in the Autumn, the son of Tavistock has proven himself as a genuine stayer and just bumped into a very smart one in when stepping out in the Kingston Town Stakes last start.
He does have a fitness edge over many of his rivals and was dominant when saluting over 1500m here two starts back, so he’s sure to make his presence felt.
8. Nugget (11)
Price: $18.00
Nugget was doing his best work late when resuming in the Tramway Stakes and the son of Siyouni is sure to improve second up out to the mile.
Prepared by Ciaron Maher, the former UK galloper made a big impression in his first Australian campaign, putting together three wins in succession before solid performances at the elite level including placings in the C F Orr and Doncaster Mile.
He had no luck off the wide gate in this race last year but has always threatened to win a big one and any rain on the day will only enhance his chances.
9. Tom Kitten (19)
Price: $9.00
Tom Kitten looked set for a big campaign as he resumed to take out the Spring Preview in dominant fashion.
Having been gelded after he failed to fire in the Autumn, the ultimate gear change appeared to have had the desired effort but a lacklustre performance last start put a question mark over that.
There’s no doubt the Group One winning son of Harry Angel is highly talented and I wouldn’t be quick to sack him on the back off one average run.
He boasts a very impressive overall record and will certainly appreciate the rise in trip.
The barrier is the biggest concern but he’ll get back and is sure to be doing his best work late.
10. Berkshire Shadow (8)
Price: $31.00
Berkshire Shadow hasn’t had much go his way in two runs back.
Held up in the early part of the straight when resuming at Rosehill, he then had to hang tough facing the breeze in the Cameron Handicap but stuck on gamely for third.
The former UK galloper failed to make an impression in his first campaign down under but looks to have returned in good order.
A Listed winner and Group One placegetter back in his homeland, if he finds his best form he could certainly figure here.
11. Loch Eagle (18)
Price: $101.00
Loch Eagle was well beaten when contesting the Tramway Stakes at his second run back from a break and didn’t see clear air until it was too late last start in the Cameron Handicap.
The Lonhro gelding recorded his biggest win to date over the Randwick mile when taking out the Group Two The Ingham in December last year but has yet to fire in seven subsequent runs.
The wide gate won’t help his chances and it’s hard to see him threatening here.
12. Major Beel (9)
Price: $13.00
Major Beel kicked off his campaign in style with a gutsy all-the-way win over the mile here and he almost pinched it again last time in the 7 Stakes.
With an Australian Derby to his name, he’s often labelled as a genuine stayer, however his record suggests he’s better suited over the mile.
He’ll take up the running and with 51.5kgs on his back, he’ll be in it for a long way.
13. Chrysaor (5)
Price: $17.00
Chrysaor is a very smart galloper on his day but his form reads very hit and miss.
He showed plenty of promise as a two year old and his biggest win to date has come over the Randwick mile, where he proved superior in the $1m Callandar- Presnell.
He failed to figure in three starts during the Brisbane Winter Carnival but produced his best to take out the Listed Tontonan when resuming at Flemington last month.
There’s a touch of class about him and from the good gate, under the guidance of Craig Williams, I expect him to run a big race.
14. Molly Bloom (3)
Price: $41.00
Molly Bloom arrived in Australia ahead of the Brisbane Winter Carnival and as a Group One winner, there were high expectations of the daughter of Ace High.
She had the three runs in QLD where she performed very well on two occasions but failed to see out the 2200m Oaks journey.
Resuming in the Theo Marks three weeks ago she was tardy away but still did prove disappointing over the final part.
She has won two from three over the mile and is obviously not short of talent but looks tested here second up..
15. Arctic Glamour (6)
Price: $27.00
With the three runs on the board this campaign, Artic Glamour presents here at peak fitness.
The Ryan / Alexiou trained mare was brilliant when resuming in the Missile Stakes, charging late to get within a short half head of Schwarz.
She’s been solid in her two latest runs over 1400m and doesn’t look out of place lining up here.
She’s yet to figure in the finish in four runs over the mile but has had excuses and the way she attacks the line suggests it will be ideal.
With her racing pattern she will need luck but the low draw should see her settle within striking distance.
16. Mchale (15)
Price: $31.00
Mchale comes here in top order after a determined first up win in the Bill Ritchie Handicap.
Looking for runs early in the straight he powered through to hit the lead, holding off the fast finishing Gringotts and recording his first black type victory.
With only the 12 runs, the Chris Waller trained gelding has continued to improve and build through his grades.
He did win second up last campaign and looks suited up to the mile.
He will need luck from the alley but I wouldn’t discount him.
17. Ausbred Flirt (2)
Price: $71.00
Ausbred Flirt has just had the one run back this preparation and was doing her best work late after settling well back in the Tibbie Stakes.
She strips fitter here and does boast a strong second up record.
The blinkers go on for the first time and with the low draw she’s sure to settle much closer in the run.
Stakes placed on a couple of occasions, she’s a very handy mare on her day but looks tested here.
18. Kintyre (7)
Price: $26.00
Kintyre hasn’t been far away in two runs back this campaign and will enjoy the rise in trip.
The son of Hallowed Crown has continued to perform well as stakes level throughout his career and recorded his biggest win during the Brisbane winner when proving too good in the Queensland Guineas.
He’s drawn to get the right run and isn’t without a chance.
19. Firestorm (13)
Price: $21.00
Firestorm in on the quick back after saluting over 1900m at Rosehill last Saturday.
The Chris Waller trained mare has returned in fine order this campaign, recording back to back wins and she looks set for bigger and better things.
After beginning her career in NZ, the daughter of Satono Aladdin added black type to her resume with two stakes placings at the mile during the Brisbane Winter Carnival before stepping out in the Queensland Oaks where she endured a torrid run.
This will be her toughest test to date but she’s a mare in form and she’s sure to be strong over the final part.
20. Galeron (4)
Price: $46.00
Galeron has been racing well but just struggles to get the job done.
It’s been over two years since the Irish bred gelding returned to the winners stall and while he has been stakes placed on two occasions back in his homeland, he’s yet prove himself at a high level here.
He has been placed in all three starts over the Randwick mile and another win looks imminent but I don’t think it will be this race.
21. Floating (20)
Price: $51.00
Floating currently sits as the first and only emergency.
The Puissance de Lune gelding comes here off a strong win over at this coarse and distance and although he has proven himself a handy galloper on his day, this might be out of his reach.
He does drop 9kgs on his last start victory but barrier 20 will do him no favours.
Selections:
1st – Kovalica
2nd – Nugget
3rd – Tom Kitten
4th – Firestorm
5th – Ceolwulf