Run over a mile (1600m) at Caulfield Racecourse, the Group 1 Toorak Handicap is held under handicap conditions and usually brings together a quantity field of quality gallopers. Last year’s $1m feature was taken out by I’m Thunderstruck, who showed his customary turn of foot late in the race, before going on to win the $7.5m Golden Eagle in Sydney.
Looking at the market, Dabble has star Kiwi import, I Wish I Win, a short priced favourite for this year’s Toorak at $2.60, following two excellent wins this prep. Tuvalu ($8.50), Gentlemen Roy ($9.00) and Military Expert ($9.00) are also in the market and its big odds for the rest.
However, we know anything can happen in this great game and the favourite will have to overcome a wide gate to make it three in a row. 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 Toorak Handicap along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Callsign Mav (11) – $26
Jockey – Jamie Mott 58kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Whacked away ok first up in the Memsie before saluting at big odds in the Rupert Clarke last start. Runs his best races here at Caulfield and is a big price for a last start G1 winner. Overs.
2. Converge (10) – $31
Jockey – Tim Clark 56.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Hasn’t done much this prep in the Tramway and George Main. Drier track may suit and the stable/jockey are in good form, but he’s hard to have on recent efforts.
3. Dalasan (12) – $34
Jockey – Jason Holder 56kg
Trainer – Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
Big win first up in Adelaide after sitting wide the trip. He then ran another good race in the Rupert Clarke last start. Will need a bit of luck from the wide alley but if the track stays firm he’s a good each-way hope.
4. Laws Of Indices (15) – $23
Jockey – James McDonald 56kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Had a sweet run in transit first up in the Rupert Clarke and battled away ok. Probably needs to find a couple of lengths and will need a 10/10 ride from McDonald here.
5. I Wish I Win (13) – $2.60F
Jockey – Luke Nolen 54.5kg
Trainer – Peter G Moody
I Wish I win 🏇 is making headlines as a potential star ⭐ on the rise after two dominant wins in Australia after crossing the Tasman from NZ.
The 4YO star lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
Has Moody got another star on his hands? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vM8WMIkktJ
— Unibet Australia (@UNIBETAustralia) October 6, 2022
Destroyed his rivals first up at Caulfield before another soft win in the Testa Rossa last start. This is tougher but his sectionals have been outstanding and he looks to have plenty of upside. The one to beat.
6. Hilal (2) – $23
Jockey – Craig Williams 54kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Finished a close up fourth in the Winx Stakes two back before failing to figure in the Rupert Clarke last start. Will get a soft run from the low draw here and his best is good enough, but he can mix his form. Take on trust.
7. Buffalo River (7) – $26
Jockey – Daniel Stackhouse 53.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Finished second in this race in 2020. Had to work early and held on well last start in the Rupert Clarke. Will roll forward again here and should give backers a sight with the light weight on his back.
8. Tuvalu (1) – $8.50
Jockey – Jarrod Fry 53.5kg
Trainer – Lindsey Smith
Had a terrific winter campaign and resumed off a short freshen with a gallant third in the Rupert Clarke. Will hold a forward position from the inside gate and take a stack of beating.
9. Gentleman Roy (4) – $9.00
Jockey – Jye McNeil 53kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes
Rolled along at a good clip and held on well behind I Wish I Win first up. Led and found last start when too strong in the Sandown Stakes. Will get a nice run from the good draw here again and doesn’t know how to run a bad race.
10. Bankers Choice (16) – $41
Jockey – Craig Newitt 52.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Got to the line well last start in the Rupert Clarke. Will appreciate the step up to 1600m here and gets the blinkers on. Just needs some luck from the wide draw and he should be finishing hard again.
11. Military Expert (9) – $9.00
Jockey – Jamie Kah 52kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Military Expert (inside) and Laws Of Indices (outside) galloped this morning at Caulfield ahead of the G1 Toorak Handicap on Saturday. 👀 @ANeashamRacing
🎥 @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/MF0IuN4lty
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 4, 2022
Won two in a row before a solid second to Gentleman Roy last start in the Sandown Stakes. Races well at Caulfield and is a winner over the mile. Must be included.
12. Noname Lane (3) – $31
Jockey – Linda Meech 52kg
Trainer – Will Clarken
On the quick back up here after winning the Seymour Cup last Sunday. Drawn well and makes his own luck on speed but this race looks a lot tougher. Place best.
13. Pinstriped (14) – $13
Jockey – Michael Dee 52kg
Trainer – Enver Jusufovic
Returned with a good second to Scallopini in The Sofitel before another good effort last start in the Sandown Stakes. Ran some good late splits last start and the mile will suit. Big chance.
14. Character (8) – $23
Jockey – Dean Yendall 52kg
Trainer – James Cummings
On the seven day back up after an unlucky fourth last Saturday behind Visinari. Has a brilliant record over 1600m and should get a cosy run from the gate. Include in multiples.
15. Uncle Bryn (5) – $16
Jockey – Daniel Moor 52kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Chased hard but no match behind Military Expert two back before another second to Smokin’ Romans in the Naturalism last start, who’s since become a G1 winner. Back to the mile here but drawn well and has to be considered a winning hope.
16. Winning Partner (6) – $91
Jockey – Damian Thornton 52kg
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Hasn’t had much in his last couple, the latest behind Visinari last Saturday. Will get a soft run from the gate and can run a cheeky race with no weight on his back.
Tuvalu has drawn the ace in gate 1 for the G1 Toorak Handicap. 🏇
The field:
1. Callsign Mav (11)
2. Converge (10)
3. Dalasan (12)
4. Laws Of Indices (15)
5. I Wish I Win (13)
6. Hilal (2)
7. Buffalo River (7)
8. Tuvalu (1)
9. Gentleman Roy (4)[1/2]#Caulfield pic.twitter.com/iAG1Yjdi4W
— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) October 5, 2022
Final Word
A capacity field will line up in this year’s Toorak Handicap and although we have a short priced favourite, it looks an even and intriguing contest. There looks plenty of speed on paper which should suit the favourite, I Wish I Win. It’s hard to tip against him on what we’ve seen in his two Australian runs, but the price is no spoil.
Cranbourne trained galloper, Pinstriped, is nearing a win and should be ready to peak here third up. He chased hard last start off the back of a slow tempo and looks suited at the mile. Tuvalu and Gentleman Roy are as consistent as they come. Both will settle in the first few and be very hard to run down, as will Military Expert.
Uncle Bryn comes into this off the back of a gallant second to Smokin’ Romans, who has since gone on to claim G1 glory, and Bankers Choice looks ready to fire third up with the blinkers on, and represents good value.
Toorak Handicap Tip
5. I Wish I Win – Win ($2.60)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
