EPSOM 2020 PREVIEW
3YO+ OPEN
1600m
$1,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail OUT 3m entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 8x021 | KOLDING | C WALLER | H BOWMAN (20) | 56.5 | |
| 2 | 00x51 | MISTER SEA WOLF | C WALLER | B AVDULLA (4) | 56.0 | $17 |
| 3 | 20x22 | STAR OF THE SEAS | C WALLER | N RAWILLER (1) | 55.5 | $5 |
| 4 | 0x343 | IMAGING | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (21) | 55.5 | $13 |
| 5 | 410x0 | NETTOYER | WENDY ROCHE | J INNES JNR (14) | 54.0 | $41 |
| 6 | 37x03 | BRANDENBURG | J SARGENT | J R COLLETT (3) | 54.0 | $23 |
| 7 | 523x2 | YULONG PRINCE | C WALLER | S CLIPERTON (2) | 54.0 | $26 |
| 8 | 16x14 | THE CANDY MAN | P & P SNOWDEN | REGAN BAYLISS (9) | 53.5 | $34 |
| 9 | 10x81 | WILD PLANET | M HAWKES | TIM CLARK (6) | 53.0 | $12 |
| 10 | 22605 | NICCANOVA | C CARMODY | B MC DOUGALL (11) | 53.0 | $61 |
| 11 | 28x21 | PROBABEEL | JAMIE RICHARDS | K MCEVOY (18) | 52.5 | $6 |
| 12 | 42x62 | FUNSTAR | C WALLER | G BOSS (19) | 52.5 | $10 |
| 13 | x3x51 | ROCK | M HAWKES | TOMMY BERRY (13) | 52.5 | $6 |
| 14 | 11x05 | COLETTE | JAMES CUMMINGS | MS R KING (10) | 52.0 | $17 |
| 15 | 35x35 | RELOADED | C WALLER | MS K O'HARA (7) | 51.0 | $26 |
| 16 | 2x073 | LOOKS LIKE ELVIS | J AUSTIN | MS J TAYLOR (8) | 50.0 | $51 |
| 17 | 23x92 | RIODINI | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | MS W COSTIN (12) | 50.0 | $26 |
| 18 | 2x164 | SAVACOOL | C WALLER | ALYSHA COLLETT (16) | 50.0 | $126 |
| 19 | x3466 | GLENALL | M HAWKES | BROCK RYAN (5) | 50.0 | $101 |
| 20 | 111x9 | VANNA GIRL | A J & T EDMONDS | R DOLAN (15) | 50.0 | $17 |
| 21 | 5x612 | JUST THINKIN' | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | 50.0 |
OVERVIEW
A cracking field lines up for this year’s Epsom, and with almost 20 runners engaged, the field is certainly wide open once again. Third in the race last year, Star Of The Seas currently heads up a wide open market with BlueBet betting $5 the field. The Epsom features an esteemed honour roll with the likes of Winx, Hartnell and Happy Clapper all having claimed the famous handicap in recent times.
SPEED MAP
With a huge field engaged here, luck will play a huge role in determining the Epsom winner. Pace looks to be genuine, with Wild Planet or Brandenburg likely to take up the running. There are 4-5 other frontrunning types that will challenge for the lead early, including Funstar and Colette. Favourite Star of The Seas draws gate 1, but might need a helicopter to get clear running in the straight. Probabeel will most likely go back from the wide gate along with Rock and Nettoyer.
KEY RUNNERS
- STAR OF THE SEAS ($5.00)
Has made an impressive rise through the grades during his last few preps and it almost culminated in Group 1 victory in this race last year, when he was edged out narrowly by Nettoyer. He brings even better form into the race this year and certainly looks the one to beat, but the gate is a massive query for mine. If he can settle in a good position, he can go one better this year.
- WILD PLANET ($12)
Whilst he isn’t one of the top credentialled horses in the race, he has certainly showed a lot of promise during his career and was able to showcase that last start when he defeated Funstar at Rosehill. He gets out to 1600m here, which he has only done once in his career, which resulted in a narrow Group 3 second behind Ranier. He maps positively here and should give the others something to chase in the straight.
- PROBABEEL ($6)
This talented mare has been in superb form again this prep, finishing close up in her first up run before heading to Randwick last start and displaying her class. She sat one out one back and was able to let down impressively for a 1.3L victory. She will probably have to go back from the wide draw, which could prove extremely tricky for her here.
BLUEY’S PICK
- STAR OF THE SEAS ($5.00)
You could make a case for a lot of horses in this race, but I’m siding with Star Of The Seas, who I think can go one better this year. Despite the inside draw, he has been in imperious form and is knocking on the door for Group 1 success. If he’s ridden positively early, I think he’s the one to beat here.
