Epsom Handicap – Saturday September 30, 2017
1600m | Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | Prize money: $1,000,000
About The Epsom Handicap
The Group 1 2017 Epsom Handicap is the 2nd most prestigious mile race in Australia, ranking only behind its Autumn counterpart, the Doncaster Mile. The Epsom Handicap each year attracts the top milers from around the country to contest the 1600m race and is run at the spacious Randwick track with a prize purse of $1,000,000.
The race almost always attracts a capacity field of 20 runners due to its large prize pool and elite status.
Epsom Handicap History
The race is named after Epsom Downs Racecourse in England, which famously holds the classic 3-year-old race – the Epsom Derby each year. The race was first run in 1863 and has been won by some champions over the years including Winx, Desert War, Super Impose and Chatham. There have been 6 back-to-back winners in the history of the race.
Epsom Handicap Key Statistics
- Gai Waterhouse has been the most successful trainer of the race winning the race 7 times
- Only 2 mares Winx (2016) and Secret Admirer (2011) have won the race since 1977
- The most successful lead up race has been the George Ryder Stakes with 6 Epsom winners coming out of that race since 2000
Epsom Handicap Past Winners (Last 20 editions)
| Year | Horse |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Hauraki |
| 2015 | Winx |
| 2014 | He's Your Man |
| 2013 | Boban |
| 2012 | Fat Al |
| 2011 | Secret Admirer |
| 2010 | Captain Sonador |
| 2009 | Rock Kingdom |
| 2008 | Theseo |
| 2007 | Not Held |
| 2006 | Racing To Win |
| 2005 | Desert War |
| 2004 | Desert War |
| 2003 | Clangalang |
| 2002 | Excellerator |
| 2001 | Final Fantasy |
| 2000 | Shogun Lodge |
| 1999 | Allez Suez |
| 1998 | Dodge |
| 1997 | Iron Horse |
Betting on the Epsom Handicap
Early Betting
The youngster Egg Tart heads the early betting odds after winning her last 6 races consecutively, including the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks and Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Godolphin runner Spectroscope follows closely in the 2nd line of betting. Another one of Chris Waller’s runners Foxplay has also been well supported in early markets.
Betting Options
Having a punt on a horse racing is the most popular type of betting at the races. Horse races can vary by distance, the type of race such as a Handicap, Weight for Age and the number of horses in the field.
A Win, Place and Each Way bet are the easiest form of betting options for the Epsom Handicap. A win bet known as betting 'on the nose', is the most common bet type. It is a bet made on a single horse to finish first
[betsteps]
