The $1.5m Epsom Handicap is a Group 1 held at Royal Randwick Racecourse for three year olds and older. First run way back in 1865, the mile feature has become one of the highlights on the Australian racing calendar and has been taken out by some of the best horses to step foot on a racetrack, including champion mare Winx, in 2015. Last year’s Epsom was taken out by Private Eye, with Regan Bayliss on board, who came from last on the home turn to secure his first Group 1 victory.
Last start George Main Stakes runner up, Icebath, is currently $3.90 favourite for this year’s Epsom Handicap with Dabble. Hinged, who also placed in the G1 George Main last start, has been heavily backed and is currently $4.40 and Top Ranked is a $4.60 chance after a strong first up win. Cross Talk, $8.00, and Fangirl, $9.00, are also given a hope in the market.
With three runners vying for favouritism and a host of different form lines coming into the race, it looks a tough field for punters to assess. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Epsom Handicap along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Top Ranked (4) – $4.60
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56.5kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
EPSOM: Mares make up half the field for the time honoured Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Check out the barrier draw 👇 pic.twitter.com/MTeu7kpuaN
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 27, 2022
Former UK galloper who has shown good ability in his three runs to date down under. His first up win here at Randwick a fortnight ago was strong and he gets to his pet trip here second up. Should get a nice run from the gate and can make it two from two this prep, and keep his brilliant record intact.
2. Converge (1) – $20
Jockey – Tim Clark 56.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
*This horse has since been scratched.*
G1 winner this track/distance who is struggling to find his best form this prep. Should be cherry ripe third up and the inside gate gives in form jock, Tim Clark, a few options. Not willing to completely rule him out but needs to find on recent efforts.
3. Ellsberg (3) – $21
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56kg
Trainer – Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
Hasn’t been far away both runs back this prep. This race looks tougher but he wasn’t beaten far in the Doncaster before placing in the All Aged earlier this year. Will press forward from the low draw and be in it for a long way.
4. Nimalee (10) – $14
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 55.5kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith
Battled away well behind Zaaki before returning to the winner’s stall last Saturday at Rosehill. Bolted in this track/distance at G1 level in the Autumn. Will push forward from the wide gate and handles all conditions.
5. Icebath (7) – $3.90F
Jockey – James McDonald 54.5kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup
James McDonald has been booked to ride Le Don De Vie in Saturday’s Metropolitan for @cmaherracing.
His other rides include:• Icebath- Epsom Handicap
• Zougotcha- Flight Stakes
• It’s Me- Premiere Stakes
• Communist- Dulcify Stakes
@Racing— Trav Noonan (@TravTurf) September 26, 2022
Looks to have returned in fine fettle this prep and her latest effort in the George Main was excellent. Loves the Randwick mile and gets a good opportunity to bag her first G1. Go close.
6. Fangirl (5) – $9.00
Jockey – Tommy Berry 54kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Savaged the line first up behind Anamoe before an even effort in the George Main last start. Will get a nice trail from the good gate and should be ready to fire third up.
7. Kiku (12) – $31
Jockey – Jason Collett 54kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Came from a mile back first up to win the Theo Marks in good style. Steps up in grade now but the mile second up suits. Will need to be at her absolute best to win but isn’t the worst.
8. Hinged (9) – $4.40
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 51.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Continued her consistent form last start when running a gallant third in the George Main behind Anamoe. Looks well suited at handicap conditions and races well in any conditions. Will roll forward and be hard to run down.
Who joins the likes of recent winners Private Eye, Probabeel, Winx, Happy Clapper and Hartnell on the honour roll of the TAB Epsom Handicap? 👇 pic.twitter.com/ledwIsZLGV
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 28, 2022
9. Cross Talk (6) – $8.00
Jockey – Rachel King 51kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Battled away strongly last start in the Bill Ritchie but was no match for Top Ranked. Will be sent forward and be rock hard fit, but may need to find an extra gear if he’s to win this.
10. Character (11) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – Reece Jones (a) 51kg
Trainer – James Cummings
N/A.
11. Pippali (8) – $91
Jockey – Kathy O’Hara 51kg
Trainer – Jason Coyle
On the seven day back up after hitting the line hard behind Nimalee last Saturday. Can run a big race on her day but will need a career best if she’s to take the winners trophy home here.
12. War Eternal (2) – $26
Jockey – Jay Ford 51kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker
Chased hard behind stablemate Ita in BM78 grade last start. Step up in trip is a bonus but it’s hard to see that form being good enough for this.
Final Word
Although this year’s Epsom Handicap may lack some class and depth in comparison to previous editions, it still looks an open and competitive race.
There looks to be good speed on paper from a host of runners which should set the race up nicely for those just off the speed, and as we’ve come to expect in recent times, the track looks as though it’ll race in the soft/heavy range come Saturday.
Premier jockey James McDonald is set to ride Icebath in Saturday’s Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
Icebath has banked more than $4.5 million in prizemoney, but never a Group 1 race.
Will she win in the mile on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/AvJzy9NLFu
— Unibet Australia (@UNIBETAustralia) September 28, 2022
Brad Widdup’s quality mare, Icebath, is racing in good form. Her last start second to Anamoe in the George Main was strong and she maps to get a beautiful cart here. She handles all conditions, loves the Randwick mile and gets a grand opportunity to win her first G1.
Hard to knock the first up win of import, Top Ranked. His three Australian runs have been very good behind some top class horses, the mile suits second up and he looks the main danger for mine.
Chris Waller’s mare, Hinged, looks the best of the on-pacers. She battled away gamely in the George Main last start and looks well suited under the handicap conditions. Her stablemate, Fangirl, should also be cherry ripe third up and has the right draw to be competitive, providing the track isn’t too heavy.
Epsom Handicap Tip
5. Icebath – Win ($3.90)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
