2024 Epsom Handicap Day Tips & Preview
Zardozi rates one of the main hopes in Saturday's Group 1 Caulfield Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.

2024 Epsom Handicap Day Tips & Preview

Royal Randwick will play host to three Group One events this Saturday, with the Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan and Flight Stakes set to headline a mammoth day of racing.

Full fields will assemble for the features with very open markets across both races.

The Group Two Premiere Stakes will also be run and won with several runners still looking to secure their place in the $20M The Everest field.

The rail will be out 3m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a good 4.

Race 1: (12:05pm) MIDWAY HANDICAP BM72 1800M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 5 Agita

J: Chad Schofield (57kg) T: David Payne

Agita comes off a solid last start effort over 2140m at he presents here hard fit.

Slowly away, the gelding settled back at the tail and made a sweeping run around the field and kept grinding to the line.

He had no luck in the early part of the straight at his prior start and just struggled to pick up over the final part after losing momentum.

The son of Adelaide showed plenty of talent last campaign with some solid performances against good company and he should find this a touch easier than what he’s been contesting.

Chad Schofield will take the mount for David Payne and the browband goes back on to ensure he leaves the gates on terms.

Race 2: (12:40pm) ARROWFIELD BREEDERS' PLATE 2YO C&G SW GROUP 3 1000M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win Market Mover

No. 10 Tuscany

J: James McDonald (56kg) T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

Tuscany stamped himself as a colt to follow with an impressive trial win late last month.

Piloted by James McDonald in the 850m heat, the son of Zoustar was allowed to find his feet, settling in the second half of the field and when asked for an effort in the straight he let down strongly to pass the post first and in doing so, clock the fastest time of the morning.

McDonald sticks with him and the Waterhouse / Bott trained youngster looks ready to go.

Race 3: (1:15pm) KEENELAND GIMCRACK STAKES 2YO FILLIES SW GROUP 3 (1000M)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 6 Icarian Dream

J: Zac Lloyd (56kg) T: Ciaron Maher

There was a lot to like about the trial of Icarian Dream and the Bull Point filly looked to have plenty in hand as she cruised through the line to take out the 850m heat.

Slightly slow away she was able to muster good early speed and when given a squeeze in the straight, she let down strongly without being shown the persuader.

Zac Lloyd was aboard in the trial, he’ll take the mount here for Ciaron Maher and she draws beautifully in gate three.

Race 4: (1:50pm) DRINKWISE DULCIFY STAKES 3YO SW LISTED 1600M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 2 Just Party

J: Josh Parr (56.5kg) T: G Ryan & S Alexiou

Just Party bounced back to his best last start with a very encouraging effort to finish on the heels of the placegetters in the Ming Dynasty.

The Justify colt was eased down when resuming over 1300m at Rosehill and was found to have pulled up with Cardiac Arrythmia but sent back to the trials, he looks to have come through it without issue.

He just had the three runs in his first campaign, winning at his second race start before a very tidy effort to finish third in the Fernhill behind Broadsiding.

The rise to the mile looks ideal and the crossover noseband goes on for the first time which should help him to relax and the run and be strong late.

Josh Parr did the steering last start and he stays in the saddle for Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou.

Race 5: (2:25pm) ALINTA ENERGY HANDICAP BM94 1600M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 5 St Lawrence

J: Tommy Berry (57.5kg) T: Ciaron Maher

It’s been a while between drinks for St Lawrence but the gelding has continued to race well.

He stepped out in the Goulburn Cup two runs back, where he chased hard into second but just couldn’t reel in the eventual winner.

Last start, up to the mile he settled too far back and just never got into it but was doing his best work late.

He’s yet to salute at this trip but has been victorious over 1800m and the way he’s been finishing off his races, suggests it’s what he’s looking for.

He gets a senior rider back onboard, with Tommy Berry to do the steering for Ciaron Maher and with luck from the gate, he’ll be right there at the finish.

Race 6: (3:00pm) DARLEY FLIGHT STAKES 3YO FILLIES SW GROUP 1 1600M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 1 Autumn Glow

J: James McDonald (56kg) T: Chris Waller

Autumn Glow has taken all before her since making her debut in mid August and the Chris Waller trained filly looks set to continue her rise to the top.

A daughter of The Autumn Sun, she kicked off her career in a BM72 for the three year olds at Rosehill and proved far too good, careering away over the final part to score by 2.5lengths.

She’s produced similar efforts in subsequent starts, taking out the Group 3 Up and Coming and Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and the way she’s worked through the line suggests she’ll relish the rise to the mile.

James McDonald stays in the saddle and under set weights conditions, it’s hard to see anything upstaging her.

Race 7: (3:35pm) PRECISE AIR PREMIERE STAKES WFA GROUP 2 1200M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 1 Giga Kick

J: James McDonald (58.5kg) T: Clayton Douglas

Giga Kick made an impressive return to the races after almost a year off the scene.

The 2022 Everest winner kicked off his preparation in the Concorde where he sat wide throughout and was solid through the line under the big weight.

A 900m Canterbury trial ten days ago saw him finishing off strongly and he will have taken plenty of benefit from both hit outs.

He’ll relish the rise to 1200m and and James McDonald stays in the saddle.

No. 8 (4:10pm) JAMES SQUIRE METROPOLITAN HANDICAP GROUP 1 (2400M)

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 10 Zardozi

J: Zac Lloyd (52kg) T: James Cummings

Zardozi finished off strongly at her first two starts this campaign but just failed to let down last time when sitting closer to the speed.

The Godolphin mare brings the strongest formlines into this race and has well and truly proven herself at the top level.

The VRC Oaks winner and ATC Oaks runner up, she’ll relish getting out the mile and a half, and from the draw I’d expect to see her settle back and be powering home late.

Race 9: (4:45pm) TAB EPSOM HANDICAP GROUP 1 1600M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 4 Kovalica

J: James McDonald (55.5kg) T: Chris Waller

Kovalica finished the runner up in last years 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 QLD Guineas and QLD 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, 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.

Race 10: (5:25pm) TAB HIGHWAY BM94 1200M

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 4 Ostraka

J: Jason Collett (59kg) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

Ostraka could not have been more impressive when resuming over 1100m at Rosehill and the gelding looks well placed to repeat that performance here.

After settling well back off the wide gate, the son of Pariah stormed home down the outside to win comfortably by a length and a half.

The rise to 1200m will certainly suit and he does race particularly well second up.

Jason Collett stays onboard and he’s set to enjoy a soft run from the low draw.

Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 13/02/2025 01:51:58am AEST and subject to change.