Tips Category: Toorak Handicap

Free Horse Racing Tips

2022 Toorak Handicap Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

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


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


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.


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 TipLogo

5. I Wish I Win – Win ($2.60)

Get our horse racing tips delivered straight to you!

Chat NowChat to The Shark

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Toorak Handicap page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

Free Horse Racing Tips

2021 Toorak Handicap Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The Group One 1600m Toorak Handicap is upon us and 14 horses are set to face the starter under handicap conditions. Weights range from 58kg, with Tofane penalised with the heaviest load, to 52kg with six horses tasked with carrying the bottom weight in the race. This does seem like a weaker Group One, with only three having won at the level previously, but that is counteracted by plenty of speed, tactics and intent throughout the race.

This race sets itself up to be an important stepping stone for some of these horses on their way to greater heights later in the Spring Carnival, and there is no surprise to see Sportsbet holding I’m Thunderstruck $2.60 favourite for this race, as of Thursday afternoon, while also being $4.60 favourite for the $7.5M Golden Eagle later this month. 

Elephant is next in the market for the Toorak Handicap at odds of $5.50 and is targeting a Cox Plate berth with a good run with no other runner marked in single figures for the race at the time of writing!

The Toorak Handicap sets itself up as a very intriguing race and an important one for quaddies, being the third leg on Saturday. Knowing this, we have done the hard work for you so read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2021 Toorak Handicap.

1. Tofane (3) – $12
Jockey – Craig Williams
Trainer – Michael Moroney

She is the most decorated horse in the race but is penalised because of it, meaning she will have to re-write the history books in order to win. The 58kg she is tasked with carrying would be the equal-most for a mare to carry to victory in the Toorak Handicap but her run in the Makybe Diva Stakes, running fourth to Incentivise is incredible form and has shown she can run out a solid 1600m. 

2. Superstorm (10) – $12
Jockey – Damien Oliver
Trainer – Danny O’Brien

Superstorm was a touch flat in the Underwood Stakes two weeks ago, finishing third behind Zaaki and Probabeel. However, they are extremely talented horses and in the start before that the WA-raider won the 1600m Feehan to book his ticket into the Cox Plate. That form stacks up in a race like this and he is proven at 1600m but he has to give 4.5kg to the favourite. 

3. Sierra Sue (11) – $12
Jockey – Daniel Moor
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Impressive winner of the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke last start but has a couple of things against her here. She carries an extra 3.5kg here, while Dice Roll (0.1L 2nd) only increases 1.5kg and I’m Thunderstruck (0.6L 3rd) doesn’t increase at all for this race. There are some queries over her 1600m form but she arguably beats Superstorm and Elephant in the Feehan if she doesn’t get blocked as she was building up and should be right in this.

4. Elephant (5) – $5.50
Jockey – Damian Lane
Trainer – Emma-Lee & David Browne

Elephant just keeps on improving with every run and he looks to be right in this race. He has two wins and a second so far this prep, with the second coming to Superstorm in the Feehan but he gets 1kg weight-swing in his favour in that matchup. Combine that with the fact that he has put in a better rating performance in his run since then, while Superstorm’s performance rating plateaued in his, and Elephant looks to be on an upward spiral with this the next race for him to conquer. 

5. Lunar Fox (13) – $51
Jockey – Brett Prebble
Trainer – Paul Preusker

While he surprised all with a win in the 1600m G1 Australian Guineas last prep, there shouldn’t be too many surprises here. Is penalised for that win, being 2kg above the bottom weight for this race and given he has just three wins and a second from 17 career starts, he won’t be up to it here.

6. Dice Roll (1) – $11
Jockey – Fred Kersley
Trainer – Nick Ryan

Is a better fresh horse but has serious claims in this race. Finished 0.1L second to Sierra Sue in the Sir Rupert Clarke but gets a 2kg weight swing in his favour. While he has a 1.5kg weight swing against him compared to I’m Thunderstruck, who was 0.5L behind him in third, he has a win and two thirds from five runs at 1600m, meaning the trip is no worry. Any give in the ground will be appreciated. 

7. Harbour Views (14) – $34
Jockey – Michael Dee
Trainer – Matthew Williams

Couldn’t have asked for much more first up when storming home to win the listed The Sofitel and while he remained ahead of Cherry Tortoni second up in the Sandown Stakes, he was still 3.25L back from Elephant. However, lots of positives for him here – he gets a 1.5kg weight swing in his favour compared to Elephant, has run top two in all three of his third up runs and has run top three in all five of his runs at the distance. 

8. Quantum Mechanic (6) – $27
Jockey – Craig Newitt
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

Ran much better second up in the Stocks Stakes two weeks ago but does that form stack up here? She finished 1.6L behind So You Assume in that race and has the same weight differential in this race. She only has two third placings from three third up runs but is a genuine miler. Not a winning chance but could put in a good effort. 

9. Aysar (7) – $34
Jockey – Harry Coffey
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes

Was just one length back in fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke, proving he has the form to match up with some of the more fancied types in this race but is on the quick back up after a poor run last week. He did have to carry 59.5kg last week and only has 52kg here, the same as in the Sir Rupert Clarke, but he hasn’t finished better than fourth in each of his last five runs. 

10. Irish Flame (12) – $101
Jockey – Michael Cartwright
Trainer – Brett Scott

The tried and tested seven-year-old gelding has won 20% of his career races, has won third up and has won twice at the distance but would need everything in his favour, especially from out wide. 

11. I’m Thunderstruck (4) – $2.60
Jockey – Jye McNeil
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

I’m Thunderstruck doesn’t get a weight penalty from his 0.6L third in the Sir Rupert Clarke, where he jumped $4.20 favourite, and he arguably should have won the race. He copped a bad bump at the top of the straight and had to regain all of his momentum before storming home and almost getting there. Given those ahead of him are worse at the weights and he has a much better barrier here, he is the favourite for a reason.

12. So You Assume (9) – $20
Jockey – Dean Yendall
Trainer – Shane Nichols

A genuine jump, lead, win candidate that has won three straight and four of her last five, with three of those being over 1600m. She has made her way from BM64 grade to BM78 to BM84 to winning the G2 Stocks Stakes last start by 1.5 lengths and if there is a leader’s bias then she will take some catching.

13. Second Slip (2) – $16
Jockey – Linda Meech
Trainer – Will Clarken

Another low weight horse who likes being up the front and brings in some incredible form. Second Slip has had three runs this prep for two wins and a second and while this is a massive step up in class, he has run with 61kg, 59kg and 57.5kg this prep but only has 52kg here. Linda Meech is a great booking on a leader and will take some running down. 

14. Embolism (8) – $46
Jockey – Damien Thornton
Trainer – Danny O’Brien

Interesting decision to even have the gelding run here. Ran third in a BM78 last start and his only other top three finishes have been in worse grades than that. 

Final Word

A couple of things are working in favour of the favourite, I’m Thunderstruck for this race. The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is typically the best lead up race for the Toorak Handicap, producing six of the last eight winners. He gets a much better gate here (4) after jumping from 16 in the Sir Rupert Clarke and four-year-olds, which he is, have produced the most winners of the race since 2005. 

With all of that in mind, we still like Elephant to continue his upward trajectory on a potential path towards the Cox Plate. David Brown, his trainer, has stated that Elephant looks to be in the best condition he has ever been in leading into the race and his performance ratings have improved with every run he has had. He has gone from 95.8 first up to 98.2 in the Feehan to 101.5 two weeks ago in the Sandown Stakes and now carries the lightest weight he has all preparation in this race, dropping 3kg from his last start and 3.5kg from his narrow Feehan loss. 

Caulfield Guineas Day Sportsbet Promo

He makes his own luck by racing on the pace and has performed well on both good and soft tracks, so any rain in Melbourne should be no issue for the five-year-old gelding. At $5.50, he looks to be a much better play than I’m Thunderstruck at $2.60 and with Sportsbet offering bonus back up to 5th, you should be safe to either win or get a bonus back as a worst case scenario!

Best Toorak Handicap Tip: Elephant – Win ($5.50)

If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our Toorak Handicap page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Sportsbet.

a7AvOMY75mtkjnOc9Q45

2020 Toorak Handicap Preview, Odds, & Tips

It’s a bumper Caulfield Guineas Day with four Group 1s at The Heath, let’s take a look at each runner in the wide-open Toorak Handicap (1600m).

1 – Mr Quickie – $16

Was really good fresh in the Memsie Stakes but was disappointing last start in the Underwood Stakes. If the rain comes, the track may have chopped out near the rail, and barrier 2 may be a shocking draw for his get back and run on style.

2 – Cascadian – $11 ??

Has been just okay this preparation but finally finds the mile here which should suit. Will need some luck with his racing style, but is an outside chance if they’re able to run on.

3 – So Si Bon – $31

Will be better back to the mile but has struggled in Group 1s, with 22 attempts without a win. Looks like he’ll have to go back from the wide draw and will be spotting them a big head start. Place chances look best.

4 – I Am Superman – $9 ?

Ticking a few boxes here, has beaten Riodini and Look Like Elvis who came out and ran top 5 in the Epsom Handicap last week. This is a lot harder but could definitely be in this for a long way and goes in all exotics.

5 – Superstorm – $9.50 ???

Probably the wildcard in the race. Luckless again with the wide draw and comes back to the mile after going around in last week’s Turnbull over 2000m. The camp have used a similar platform before with Regal Power in the All-Star Mile, and if they’re able to run on from the wider lanes, he’s a real show.

6 – Chief Ironside – $26

Ran out of steam in the Cameron Handicap first up, will be better with added fitness but would need everything to go his way.

7 – Mandela Effect – $34 ?

Was unlucky in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes but it looks a tough run for him again here. Has ability and could place with luck in transit.

8 – Reykjavik – $27

Running well for the Lindsey Smith camp but there are a few with more talent, and the draw looks very tough.

9 – Achernar Star – $34

Another Lindsey Smith runner who is going along well, and finished will in the Rupert Clarke behind the placegetters, but looks tested in this big Group 1.

10 – Sikandarabad – $51

Tough to see him being in the finish, price is probably a good guide.

11 – Sircconi – $18

May have missed his chance this prep with back-to-back second place finishes at Caulfield. Comes back here after a 5-week freshen and will certainly roll forward and be an absolute nuisance. Lacks the class of some others in the field.

12 – Age Of Chivalry – $26 ?

Shocking draw and Damian Lane has no option but to go handlebars down to cross them and lead. Hasn’t looked quite at his best this preparation but at his best can be in this a long way, especially if the track is favouring leaders.

13 – Junipal – $4.80 ???

Has been in career best form this preparation and had a visually impressive win last start where he absolutely gapped the field over 1700m. A repeat of that would see him go close, but this field is a lot tougher.

14 – Harlech – $35 ??

Thrown into the deep end in his first Australian start in the Rupert Clarke, but has outstanding Kiwi form around Catalyst, Riodini, and Probabeel. Should improve second up and could be one to throw in exotics as a knockout hope.

15 – Buffalo River – $4 ???

Just run down by Windstorm last start who had fitness on its side. Is second up and should show big improvement, and finds Willo onboard. Will be suited if the track favours leaders as can happen at Caulfield, and is very hard to knock.

Tip: 15-5-13-2

? = Must Watch
? = Big Winning Chance
?= Worth Including in Exotics

2020 Toorak Handicap Field, Odds, & Barriers

*Odds accurate at time of posting article.

HorseWinPlace
1Mr Quickie (2)J: Jamie Kah 59kg T: P Stokes$14.00$4.20Bet Now
2Cascadian (6)J: Damien Oliver 58.5kg T: James Cummings$11.00$3.50Bet Now
3So Si Bon (12)J: Luke Nolen 58kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes$26.00$6.00Bet Now
4I Am Superman (7)J: Mark Zahra 57.5kg T: P & P Snowden$8.50$2.90Bet Now
5Superstorm (13)J: William Pike 57.5kg T: G & A Williams$9.00$3.00Bet Now
6Chief Ironside (3)J: Hugh Bowman 57kg T: K A Lees$21.00$5.50Bet Now
7Mandela Effect (8)J: Craig Newitt 56.5kg T: Scott Brunton$34.00$7.50Bet Now
8Reykjavik (14)J: Dean Yendall 56.5kg T: L Smith$26.00$6.00Bet Now
9Achernar Star (1)J: Jamie Mott 56kg T: L Smith$34.00$7.50Bet Now
10Sikandarabad (10)J: Jye Mcneil 56kg T: Sam Kavanagh$51.00$10.00Bet Now
11Sircconi (11)J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg T: Nick Ryan$17.00$5.00Bet Now
12Age Of Chivalry (15)J: Damian Lane 55.5kg T: M Ellerton & S Zahra$21.00$5.50Bet Now
13Junipal (9)J: John Allen 55.5kg T: C Maher & D Eustace$4.50$1.90Bet Now
14Harlech (4)J: Michael Dee 54.5kg T: M D Moroney$31.00$7.00Bet Now
15Buffalo River (5)J: Craig Williams 53kg T: M D Moroney$3.90$1.75Bet Now