Early Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) preview

The Epsom Handicap is one of the biggest races on Sydney’s Spring Carnival calendar, and with the big prize money on offer ($500,000) talented fields are generally attracted this prestigious race.

This year is no different with several big names expected to line up, including Boban, Royal Descent, Toydini and the up-and-coming Rock Sturdy. So we should be in for a cracking race.

The all important barrier draw is tomorrow morning, this normally sees some movement in the betting market which is currently headed by Joseph Pride’s talented four-year-old, Rock Sturdy.

He was an impressive last start winner on Saturday in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill, and this is another step up in class. He still has to answer a few questions before being announced as a short favourite in a big race like this, but on the upside, he does get in very light at 52 kilograms and is still improving.

I can’t wait to see if he can compete at this level.

On the next line of betting is the consistent five-year-old mare from the Chris Waller stables, Royal Descent. She headlines the three of Waller’s entries and has been in good form, running three seconds from three attempts. This will reportedly be her last hit out before heading to the Cox Plate in three weeks’ time at Moonee Valley.

One feels a win is not far away though we may have to wait until she steps out to some more distance. But a win here would show she is right in contention for the big one in Melbourne.

Of Chris Waller’s other runners, He’s Your Man is the next that the bookies see as a threat. He’s a last start winner in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000 metres and steps up in class here while dropping 400 meters in race distance. He has really come of age this preparation but is yet to be proven among Group 1 company.

Last but not least of Waller’s expected runners is the well known five-year-old gelding, Boban. He has had excuses in all three starts this preparation and was freshened with a nice barrier trial in Sydney last week which he won easily.

This looks like an easier race than his last three assignments (albeit it remains a Group 1) and I feel that if jockey Glyn Schofield can find him a nice spot in the race then we might see him returning to the winners circle. Tomorrow’s barrier draw could be crucial for Boban.

The last two runners that I would like to touch on is Toydini, out of the Hawkes stable, and Hooked, who had the “for sale” tag placed on him by former owner Nathan Tinkler.

Toydini was a bit disappointing last start in the Group 1 George Main Stakes, where he did not show much in the straight after being forced quite wide when turning. He has the class to bounce back from this and shreds four kilograms from that run.

Hooked won the Group 3 StrathAyr Cameron Handicap in Newcastle last start in impressive fashion. This is obviously much tougher but he looks to have improved a lot since last preparation and could give this a shake up.

With a good mix of youth and proven talent in this race it looks like another cracking Epsom and Sydney’s weather looks good for the week so we should see a track in the ‘good’ range. In a closely fought out finish I have Boban on top of Royal Descent, Hooked and Rock Sturdy, bring on Saturday!

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