Randwick Race 7 – 16:05 AEST
OPEN Group 1
1600m
$1,000,000.00
Soft 5 – Good 4
Rail out 3m entire circuit
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Hartnell | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 57.0 | 10 | $23.00 |
| 2. Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Corey Brown | 54.0 | 4 | $4.80 |
| 3. D’argento | Chris Waller | James Mcdonald | 53.5 | 1 | $4.20 |
| 4. Shillelagh | Chris Waller | Michael Walker | 53.0 | 5 | $21.00 |
| 5. Duca Valentinois | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 53.0 | 16 | $61 |
| 6. Single Gaze | Chris Waller | Kathy O’hara | 52.5 | 12 | $61 |
| 7. Unforgotten | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 52.5 | 3 | $4.50 |
| 8. Mister Sea Wold | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 52.5 | 7 | $26.00 |
| 9. Arbeitsam | G Waterhouse & A Bott | Tim Clark | 52.5 | 15 | $26.00 |
| 10. Religify | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 52.5 | 8 | $71 |
| 11. Lanciato | Mark Newnham | Ms Rachel King | 52.0 | 6 | $16.00 |
| 12. Tom Melbourne | Chris Waller | Dean Yendall | 51.5 | 19 | $23.00 |
| 13. Champagne Cuddles | Bjorn Baker | Craig Newitt | 51.0 | 21 | $21.00 |
| 14. Red Excitement | Gerald Ryan | Damien Thornton | 51.0 | 13 | $41.00 |
| 15. New Tipperary | Joseph Pride | Craig Williams | 51.0 | 17 | $31.00 |
| 16. Siege of Quebec | G Waterhouse & A Bott | James P Innes | 50.0 | 14 | $13.00 |
| 17. Invictus Prince | Matthew Smith | Andrew Adkins | 50.0 | 9 | $31.00 |
| 19. Muraaqeb | D & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Cory Parish | 50.0 | 2 | $31.00 |
| 20. Goodfella | Bjorn Baker | Jean Van Overmeire | 50.0 | 20 | $71 |
| E22. Paret | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 50.0 | 11 | $35.00 |
Race Overview
It's a cracking edition of the Epsom Handicap this year, with 20 runners set to line up after last year’s Epsom only produced 10! There are a number of horses looking to take the next step in their racing career and this looks like a brilliant way to do. The Epsom Handicap is one of Sydney’s premier mile races of the year, and previous winners include; Happy Clapper, Winx, Boban & Secret Admirer. Notably only 2 mares have won the race since 1977.
Race Speed
Fields of this size are often a nightmare to map with runners spread right across the track, however the speedy Religify and Arbeitsam should ensure that the pace is well and truly on which could set it up for the backmarkers. There looks to be speed drawn out wide which should also ensure that the race is run quickly – especially in the first part of the race where they will look to sort their order out.
Key Runners
- HARTNELL ($23.00)
It’s amazing to think that you can get $23 about Hartnell here, when less than just 2 years ago he was ‘almost’ beating Winx! Form this prep has been okay without being spectacular, but surely primed here. Should avoid most of the mess out wide and get a nice trail midfield. No doubt the class of the race.
- PIERATA ($4.80)
Brilliant first up win against the talented Kementari, when had a gun run and outsprinted the favourite. Last start was wide the trip and just nailed on the line to lose a photo against Siege of Quebec. Hasn’t missed a place in the last 12 months.
- D’ARGENTO ($4.20)
Looks primed here third up after two solid returns – first up chased bravely behind Winx and last start chased gamely but couldn’t reel in the talented Home of the Brave on Heavy ground. Back to drier ground should be a plus and jump to 1600m should suit. Barrier 1 could be a tough ask for Mcdonald, but there is none better.
- UNFORGOTTEN ($4.50)
Last start in the Chelmsford was extremely impressive when held up for clear running until the 200m and managed to burst through and score comfortably. Prior to that was safely held behind Winx, but far from disgraced first up. Has had a barrier trial since last start and should be peaking here.
Bluey's Best
- HARTNELL ($23.00)
This is a value-based selection in what looks to be a very open field. Hartnell has not been that poor this prep (beaten a half-length in both starts) to warrant this price. This is a horse that has tasted multiple Group 1 success and had Winx not been around, he’d have many more! Should get a gun run and looks a great value bet.
