The Epsom Handicap is a Group 1 race at Randwick on Saturday, where some of the best milers in Australasia run in the time-honoured race.
Epsom Handicap odds have Autumn Boy and Well Written as equal favourites, and they could fight out the finish.
Epsom Handicap Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 16. God’s Window (12) J: Siena Grima 50kg 123×5 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 6×523 T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 2. Tom Kitten (4) J: Adam Hyeronimus 57.5kg 17×00 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 15. Plymouth (11) J: Jackson Radley 50kg 031×6 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 19. Mr Miller (5) J: Tyler Schiller 50kg 2×113 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Well Written (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 111×1 T: Stephen Marsh | ||
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 10. Fully Lit (8) J: Winona Costin 51kg 0x341 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 8. Attica (6) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 51.5kg 80×23 T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 7. Militarize (16) J: Tim Clark 53.5kg 623×6 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 13. Matcha Latte (13) J: Robbie Dolan 50kg 13×32 T: Nacim Dilmi | ||
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 9. Vivy Air (9) J: Reece Jones 51kg 300×8 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 4. Idle Flyer (15) J: Jason Collett 55kg 1×644 T: Matthew Smith | ||
| 18. Encap (10) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 50kg 29×04 T: Gary Portelli | ||
| 12. Perfumist (14) J: Rachel King 50kg 071×1 T: Bjorn Baker |
Autumn Boy gets a soft run from the inside draw, but his odds have drifted from $3.20 to $3.80. There has been a big move for Well Written, who is the unbeaten New Zealand runner.
She gets every chance in the run from barrier 3, and she will likely stalk the speed with Zac Lloyd riding before producing her enormous turn-of-foot over the final 200m.
Idle Flyer, Lady Shanandoah, and Perfumist have drawn wide Epsom Handicap barriers, which will make it hard for them to win.
Epsom Handicap Form Guide 2026
He started at $9.50 before easing out into double figures. That’s not ideal, nor is the 59kg, but he has the quality to overcome both and win. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him salute, so he deserves consideration in Epsom Handicap tips.
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 6×523 T: Joseph Pride |
There hasn’t been much to like in his two runs since returning from a spell, which raises some doubts. Barrier 4 is a positive, but he needs to improve sharply to have any real chance of winning this.
| 2. Tom Kitten (4) J: Adam Hyeronimus 57.5kg 17×00 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
He was the early favourite before the Kiwi attracted strong support. He remains one of the leading chances after finishing second to Sheza Alibi, and two runs back should have him nearing peak fitness. He’s a genuine competitor and can be in the finish if he can match the Kiwi’s brilliance.
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller |
The wide draw makes things tricky, while 55kg doesn’t look overly generous for her. We would have been interested with a lighter weight, but she hasn’t shown enough in her return this preparation to convince us.
| 4. Idle Flyer (15) J: Jason Collett 55kg 1×644 T: Matthew Smith |
There’s been plenty of support for her, with her price crashing from $26. That’s an eye-catching move considering she only finished fourth behind Angel Capital last time, but the market support is hard to ignore. She has plenty of ability, although the current price offers less appeal.
| 5. Lady Shenandoah (16) Scratched: | |||
The unbeaten Kiwi mare has won all seven of her starts. She has dominated her opposition across the Tasman, including Belle Cheval, who subsequently landed a Group 1 in Australia. She also accounted for classy mare Alabama Lass last start, and her unbeaten record suggests she’s the one to beat in the Epsom Handicap.
| 6. Well Written (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 111×1 T: Stephen Marsh |
He’s the type of horse who can frustrate punters before popping up in a major race when nobody expects it. Saturday could potentially be that day, but his recent form makes it difficult to include him in our suggested Epsom Handicap predictions.
| 7. Militarize (16) J: Tim Clark 53.5kg 623×6 T: Chris Waller |
He was arguably too short at his opening quote of $6, but the subsequent drift has made his price more appealing. He has enough ability to be competitive in an Epsom, and the current odds are easier to entertain. With only 51.5kg and Kerrin McEvoy aboard from barrier 6, he gets his chance.
| 8. Attica (6) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 51.5kg 80×23 T: Joseph Pride |
Her recent performances haven’t been strong enough to suggest she can make an impact at this level. She appears better suited stepping back into easier company.
| 9. Vivy Air (9) J: Reece Jones 51kg 300×8 T: Ciaron Maher |
He has plenty of speed and could give them something to chase if he gets things his own way in front. The question is whether he has the class to win a Group 1 against this opposition, and we feel $26 is a touch short given the task.
| 10. Fully Lit (8) J: Winona Costin 51kg 0x341 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
He finished his previous campaign with consecutive victories, but he may need more racing before producing his best. We’d be more inclined to follow him in the provincial group races rather than taking him on in a race of this calibre at Randwick.
| 11. Hellsing (12) Scratched: | |||
An intriguing contender for Bjorn Baker, who has a knack for producing surprise winners. She returned to form with a strong victory last start, and further improvement combined with just 50kg could make her competitive. Barrier 17 creates a challenge, but she’s capable of causing an upset with the right luck.
| 12. Perfumist (14) J: Rachel King 50kg 071×1 T: Bjorn Baker |
There has been some interest in the market, with his price shortening from $91, which is encouraging. He’s a reliable performer who has enough ability to run a big race on Saturday. Winning looks unlikely, but hecertainly isn’t without a chance.
| 13. Matcha Latte (13) J: Robbie Dolan 50kg 13×32 T: Nacim Dilmi |
She’s a mare held in high regard by Chris Waller, although this particular assignment doesn’t look ideally suited to her. She may lack the explosive acceleration required to win an Epsom Handicap.
| 14. Panova (14) Scratched: | |||
It’s difficult to make a strong case for backing him here. He has won just three races, with none coming against opposition of this calibre. There has also been little change in his price since markets opened.
| 15. Plymouth (11) J: Jackson Radley 50kg 031×6 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
He can’t be completely dismissed, although winning would require a significant step forward. He’s another three-time winner, and his best performances may come when the autumn carnival rolls around.
| 16. God’s Window (12) J: Siena Grima 50kg 123×5 T: Chris Waller |
He was impressive winning at Randwick last start, although that came in BM88 company. This represents a significant jump in grade, but dropping from 59.5kg to just 50kg gives him a major advantage. At $20, he’s not a horse we’re willing to completely ignore.
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller |
We’re comfortable leaving him out of calculations. The price reflects his chances, and it would take a huge improvement for him to cause the sort of upset required to win this.
| 18. Encap (10) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 50kg 29×04 T: Gary Portelli |
The late betting moves could provide a useful guide with this runner. He was only fair in the Cameron Handicap, but his lightweight impost gives him the opportunity to produce a surprise result if he finds his best form.
| 19. Mr Miller (5) J: Tyler Schiller 50kg 2×113 T: Chris Waller |