Epsom Handicap Day is truly one of the best days of the Spring Racing carnival in Sydney.
There are three Group 1 races including the feature, The Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan Handicap and the Flight Stakes.
We have run through every race on the card and offered our thoughts and tips.
A Godolphin two year old filly by Exceed and Excel ridden by Nash Rawiller who has won her only trial and is starting double figures? That will do me in the first for this race.
A Godolphin two year old colt by Lonhro ridden by Hugh Bowman who has won his only trial? That will do me in the second.
With the scratching of Angel of Heaven I’m willing to give Dealmaker one last chance after a string of unlucky runs.
Probabeel has matured into a very nice filly and although she has not won this prep, she has been ultra impressive. She was doing her best work late in the Tea Rose Stakes and the step up to 1600m suits her down to a tee.
Graff’s two runs in this prep has been very good and he looks ready to peak third up. He has a fitness edge on most of these and he should get a nice run from barrier two in a small field. Looks overs to me.
Let’s be fair, Verry Elleegant has not returned in the same form that saw her win back to back Group 1s in the Autumn. She has found the step into open class racing a little tough so far but I think she has found a very winnable race here should Waller go this way. She will appreciate the step up in distance and she can grind out a win in a field that lacks depth.
The Epsom Handicap throws up plenty of value each year and that is the way we are playing the race again in 2019.
Nettoyer has won just three of her 23 race starts however she was flying in The Cameron Handicap at Newcastle late. Whether that is the right form going into this race is a risk we are willing to take especially with just the 50kg!
I thought Desert Lord fought on well after doing all the work behind Kolding last start. That horse deserves favouritism in the race however if Desert Lord can get a bit of luck and a soft lead, I think the $34 is overs.
Was not beaten far when tackling this track and distance last when she ran second behind Verry Elleegant in the Australian Oaks. Her two runs in this prep have been full of merit including a fast finishing 7th behind Finche last start. She has drawn beautifully for this and has only the 50kg to carry. Hers to lose.
I’ve found one at $81 to finish the day. Hopefully on a really good note! After All That is a mature eight years of age however he has been racing well. He was beaten less than 1.5 lengths in open class racing up north at the end of last prep behind Manaya and Havasay. He was stone motherless last first up at Canterbury however he worked to the line well. He always takes a step forward in his second run and I thought he was worth an each way play. .