TOORAK HANDICAP 2020 PREVIEW
OPEN HANDICAP
1600m
$500,000
GOOD 4
RAIL TRUE
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 02x27 | MR QUICKIE | P STOKES | JAMIE KAH (2) | 59 | $15 |
| 2 | 9x440 | CASCADIAN | JAMES CUMMINGS | D OLIVER (6) | 58.5 | $9 |
| 3 | x4539 | SO SI BON | T DABERNIG & B HAYES | L NOLEN (12) | 58 | $29 |
| 4 | 70x11 | I AM SUPERMAN | P & P SNOWDEN | M ZAHRA (7) | 57.5 | $9 |
| 5 | 2x907 | SUPERSTORM | G & A WILLIAMS | W PIKE (13) | 57.5 | $9 |
| 6 | 040x3 | CHIEF IRONSIDE | K LEES | H BOWMAN (3) | 57 | $20 |
| 7 | 11x59 | MANDELA EFFECT | S BRUNTON | C NEWITT (8) | 56.5 | $34 |
| 8 | 56745 | REYKJAVIK | L SMITH | D YENDALL (14) | 56.5 | $26 |
| 9 | 23x84 | ACHERNAR STAR | L SMITH | J MOTT (1) | 56 | $34 |
| 10 | x5120 | SIKANDARABAD | SAM KAVANAGH | J M NEIL (10) | 56 | $51 |
| 11 | 17224 | SIRCCONI | NICK RYAN | D W STACKHOUSE (11) | 56 | $16 |
| 12 | 3x230 | AGE OF CHIVALRY | MATHEW ELLERTON & SIMON ZAHRA | D LANE (15) | 55.5 | $26 |
| 13 | 7x311 | JUNIPAL | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | J ALLEN (9) | 55.5 | $4 |
| 14 | 224x0 | HARLECH | M MORONEY | M J DEE (4) | 54.5 | $34 |
| 15 | x11x2 | BUFFALO RIVER | M MORONEY | C WILLIAMS (5) | 53 | $5 |
OVERVIEW
The Toorak rounds out the four Group 1’s on what is a huge day of racing from Caulfield on Caulfield Guineas day. The race has attracted a strong lineup of 15 gallopers, the majority of which are chasing Group 1 success for the first time, with Mr. Quickie the only runner in the field to have won previously at the highest level.
SPEED MAP
Looks a genuine enough speed here with Buffalo River likely to take it up from the good draw. Went quite slow in front first up but I’m expecting Craig Williams to roll at a much quicker tempo which this horse has shown he appreciates in the past. Sircconi, I Am Superman and Chief Ironside should be prominent. Age of Chivalry perhaps rolls forward? Junipal midfield with Cascadian and Superstorm likely to get back.
KEY RUNNERS
15. BUFFALO RIVER ($4.40)
First go at Group 1 level here for the talented five-year-old who was strong first up when just nabbed late by Windstorm over 1400m at Caulfield. Possibly went too slow there having run nine lengths slower than the class benchmark to the 600. This horse has shown in the past that he loves to roll along at a good speed, and with Craig Williams taking the reins on Saturday look for him to adopt those tactics. Market was in love with him first up so expect that SP profile to be taken into account and for him to be solid in the betting. His best figures are on wet tracks so that might be the slight niggle if the rain doesn’t arrive in Melbourne come the weekend. Drops 6kg in weight.
13. JUNIPAL ($4.60)
Absolute flying is this horse for the in-form stable of Maher/Eustace. Bolted in last start over 1700 this track by a widening 3.8 lengths so deserves his crack at Group 1 level. 4th up now, should be at peak fitness and with an expected good tempo, should get his chance to run over the top of them. With that said he does look short enough at the current quote of $4.60.
2. CASCADIAN ($9.00)
Cascadian arrives in the Toorak off a complete forget run in the Sir Rupert Clarke last start where he ran up bums the entire straight. Still ran the 4th quickest 400-200m sectional of the race and certainly looked to have plenty to give crossing the line. His two runs prior were both very good when hitting the line hard in best closing sectionals in the P.B Lawrence and Memsie. Think the step to the mile is in his favour and gets the services of Damien Oliver once again. His racing pattern invites more bad luck than good, but with the expected good tempo he gets his chance and looks the overs in the race.
BLUEYS PICK
2. CASCADIAN ($9.00)
Siding with the Godolphin galloper here in the form of Cascadian. As we’ve outlined, he can be luckless with a poor racing pattern but should relish a strongly run race now out to the mile. Should just lob into a midfield position here, hopefully in the running line, and if they can make ground on the day he’s the one I want to side with at the nearly double figure odds.
