One of Sydney’s premier spring features takes centre stage at Randwick this Saturday, with $1.5 million in prize money up for grabs, and the Neds form team has done the hard work with our 2026 Epsom Handicap betting tips, predictions and favourites, breaking down the key chances, market movers and best value plays in this year’s outstanding Group 1 mile showdown.
The Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) is once again shaping as one of the standout betting races of the Sydney Spring Carnival, with a quality field of 19 runners set to clash in the Randwick mile feature.
Autumn Boy heads Epsom Handicap betting odds as Chris Waller chases a seventh victory in the famous mile. The dual Group 1 winner returns to Sydney third-up after a strong Makybe Diva Stakes performance and looks ideally placed from the inside draw with James McDonald in the saddle.
The Waller yard has plenty of depth with runners including lightweight contender Mr Miller and proven Randwick mare Lady Shenandoah, while unbeaten Kiwi raider Well Written has been one of the biggest market movers after winning all seven career starts and profiles as a serious threat from a favourable barrier.
Attica has attracted interest dropping sharply in the weights after two encouraging lead-up runs, while former winner Ceolwulf, in-form mare Perfumist, and last year’s runner-up Fully Lit add further intrigue to a deep and competitive Group 1 field.
With established stars, emerging talent and value right across the market, the Epsom Handicap looks set to deliver another thrilling edition of Sydney’s premier mile handicap.
Below you’ll find our full 2026 Epsom Handicap preview, predictions and Same Race Multi selections.
2026 Epsom Handicap Favourites & Best Bets
This looks a typically competitive edition of the Epsom Handicap, but I’m happy to stick with AUTUMN BOY (1) as the horse to beat.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old returns to Randwick third-up after two strong Melbourne runs and looks ready to produce a peak performance back at the mile.
The son of The Autumn Sun stamped himself as a genuine Group 1 contender when runner-up to Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and his previous elite-level form reads exceptionally well for a race like this.
A winner of both the Caulfield Guineas and Rosehill Guineas, he also boasts strong Randwick credentials after placings in the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile.
Getting back to his preferred 1600m, drawing the inside gate and reuniting with James McDonald are all major positives, while Waller’s outstanding record in the race only adds confidence.
With the stable chasing another Epsom success and Autumn Boy looking set to peak at the right time, he’s the one I’m backing to deliver.
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller |
The runner that appeals most as the value play in this year’s Epsom is unbeaten Kiwi mare WELL WRITTEN (3).
The Stephen Marsh-trained four-year-old arrives in Sydney with a perfect seven-from-seven record and has already proven herself at the highest level across the Tasman, highlighted by Group 1 victories in the NZ 1000 Guineas and The Kiwi.
She couldn’t have been more impressive resuming in the Proisir Plate at Ellerslie and is likely to take further improvement second-up, which is an ominous sign for her rivals.
Drawn perfectly in barrier three with Zac Lloyd retaining the ride, she should enjoy every chance stalking the speed before getting her shot in the straight.
This is undoubtedly her toughest assignment to date, but she’s unbeaten at the mile, handles give in the ground and has done nothing but win throughout her career.
With strong market support behind her and all the right form indicators, she shapes as the standout each way chance and the horse most likely to challenge the favourite.
| 6. Well Written (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 111×1 T: Stephen Marsh |
If you’re hunting for a value runner at odds, it’s hard to go past DECLICHY BOULEVARD (2).
The Waller-trained mare and stablemate to the favourite has returned in terrific order this campaign and looks capable of outrunning her price as she steps into the deep end now.
After a strong first-up placing, she took her form to another level with an impressive victory over the Randwick mile last start, lumping a big weight and still proving far too strong late.
That performance suggested she’s ready for a rise in class and, importantly, she now gets into the Epsom with just 50kg on her back.
The daughter of Waller’s powerhouse stable is third-up, maps to enjoy a soft run off the speed and has already shown she thrives over this course and distance.
With fitness, form and a featherweight in her favour, she looks ideally placed to make her presence felt in the closing stages.
At around the $20 mark, Declichy Boulevard is my best roughie in the 2026 Epsom Handicap.
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller |
2026 Epsom Handicap Same Race Multi Selections
- Top 3 – No. 3 Autumn Boy
- Top 3 – No. 6 Well Written
- Top 5 – No. 17 Declichy Boulevard
I’m building this year’s Epsom Handicap Same Race Multi around AUTUMN BOY (1), who looks the safest play in the field to finish in the top three. The Waller-trained star is ready to peak third-up, draws perfectly and brings elite Randwick mile form into the race. With McDonald aboard and a strong Group 1 lead-up under his belt, he should be right in the thick of the action.
To complement him, WELL WRITTEN (6) looks another ideal top three inclusion. The unbeaten Kiwi mare has won all seven career starts, boasts multiple Group 1 victories and comes to Australia off another impressive success at Ellerslie. Drawn to enjoy a soft run from barrier three, she has all the credentials to make an immediate impact at Randwick.
Rounding out the multi is DECLICHY BOULEVARD (17) for a top five finish. The in-form Waller mare was outstanding winning over this track and distance last start, drops to a handy weight and appears set to peak third-up. At her juicy odds, she’s the value runner capable of charging into the finish and adding plenty of appeal to the multi.
| 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 | ||
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller |
Latest Epsom Handicap 2026 Odds
Epsom Handicap 2026 Results
| 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 |
Epsom Handicap FAQs
The 2026 Epsom Handicap is scheduled to run as Randwick Race 8 at 4:10pm (AEST) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, featuring as one of the headline races on the Epsom Day program.
The Epsom Handicap is run over 1600m, making it one of Australia’s premier Group 1 mile races and a key spring target for the country’s best middle-distance gallopers.
The 2026 Epsom Handicap offers $1.5 million in prize money, with the iconic Randwick feature remaining one of the richest handicap races of the Sydney Spring Carnival.
No. 3 Autumn Boy heads Epsom Handicap betting after an impressive lead-up campaign, with the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old aiming to continue his trainer’s outstanding record in the race.
Our best bet is No. 3 Autumn Boy, who looks ready to peak third-up after his strong Makybe Diva Stakes performance and gets every chance from the inside draw with James McDonald aboard.
No. 6 Well Written rates as the leading each-way chance. The unbeaten Kiwi mare arrives chasing an eighth straight victory and has drawn favourably for her Australian debut.
No. 17 Declichy Boulevard profiles as the best roughie in the field after an outstanding last start win over the Randwick mile. The Chris Waller-trained mare gets in with a lightweight and appeals at the double-figure odds.
Absolutely. Recent editions have seen favourites salute, including Ceolwulf ($4 in 2024) and Autumn Glow ($1.75 in 2025), proving the market often gets it right in Sydney’s famous mile handicap.
Chris Waller appears to hold the strongest hand with a powerful team led by Autumn Boy, while also saddling key contenders including Mr Miller, Lady Shenandoah and Declichy Boulevard.
Yes. Mares have enjoyed success in the Epsom Handicap throughout its history, most recently with Autumn Glow’s victory in 2025, and several talented female contenders are looking to add their names to the honour roll in 2026.
A popular Neds Same Race Multi for the 2026 Epsom Handicap is:
Autumn Boy Top 3
Well Written Top 3
Declichy Boulevard Top 5
The trio all bring strong form lines into the race and could provide plenty of value for punters chasing an Epsom Handicap Same Race Multi.