The Toorak is a 1600m race run under handicap conditions at Caulfield racecourse that was first run in 1881.
The Group 1 race has been won by some champion horses including Tobin Bronze (1967), Gunsynd (1971) and more recently More Joyous (2010).
Our full 2022 Toorak Handicap Preview can be read below.
1. Callsign Mav (11)
Callsign Mav broke through for hos maiden Group 1 win in the traditional lead up race the Sir Rupert Clarke two weeks ago.
He will be asked to carry just half a kilo more in this race but he has been friendless in betting since the market opened.
He simply has to be over the odds at his current price as a last start group 1 winner.
2. Converge (10)
How shown glimpses of his natural ability in the past and has quite a sharp turn of foot late in his races.
Both runs this prep have been below par and he would need to capture his best to be competitive.
3. Dalasan (12)
His first up win at Listed level in Adelaide was excellent and his closing sectionals in the Sir Rupert Clarke were also very good.
He has performed at Group 1 level for a long time now and he is one that appeals at a huge price.
4. Laws Of Indices (15)
Has just three wins from 20 career race starts but hasn’t been far away in his last three starts, all at Group 1 level.
Finished within 1.65 lengths of the winner in the Sir Rupert Clarke and is sure to take plenty of improvement into this second up run.
5. I Wish I Win (13)
Burst onto the Australian racing scene with one of the most dominant wins I have seen first up at Caulfield when scoring by four lengths.
The knock was that win was just an open class handicap but he franked the form by winning easily again at listed level at Sandown two weeks ago.
Of course this is another step up in grade but the Peter Moody trained gelding oozes class and should he win, I wouldn’t be surprised if he heads to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
6. Hilal (2)
No doubting his ability at his best but the knock may be that is past him.
His runs this prep have been better than they look on paper and he finished within 2.4 lengths of Anamoe in the Group 1 Winx Stakes which looks good form to follow.
Not sure he gets through the real heavy track that well.
7. Buffalo River (7)
He is a different horse on the heavy surface and comes into this race with fitness on his side.
Drops 2kg on his last start fifth in the Sir Rupert Clarke and if he can get an easy time of it in front, he will take some catching.
Price seems about right.
8. Tuvalu (1)
The main danger to I Wish I Win in my opinion.
Is yet to miss a place in 12 career race starts and the lightly raced five year old has a huge amount of upside.
Obviously kept some residual fitness from his winter campaign when finishing a very close third in the Sir Rupert Clarke on the heavy track and will again be in the finish here.
Nice each way price as well.
9. Gentleman Roy (4)
Doesn’t know how to run a bad race and has been placed in 11 of 13 overall starts including seven wins.
Won the Group 3 Sandown Stakes last time out and although he’ll need to take a big jump in grade, he has drawn to get a lovely run in transit from barrier four.
10. Bankers Choice (16)
Finished within three lengths of the winner in both the Group 1 George Ryder and Doncaster Handicap during the autumn proving he can mix it at this level.
Again was not far away at Group 1 level in the Sir Rupert Clarke in the blanket finish and he is unbeaten in two goes third up from a spell and the blinkers go on.
Not the worst.
11. Military Expert (9)
The ex factor in the race belongs to the Anabel Neasham trained Military Expert who is progressing through the grades really well of late.
One of the last sons of Redoute’s Choice won his first two to kick start this campaign before finishing second at Group 3 level last start.
Jamie Kah has her mojo back and the horse only has to carry 52kg.
12. Noname Lane (3)
Has won his last three is a row including his last two at listed level.
The six year old gelding won the Balaklava Cup by half a length before taking out the Seymour Cup by the same margin.
Is that form good enough for this? Well he gets just 52kg!
13. Pinstriped (14)
Started favourite in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes but could only manage a third.
Has three wins from seven career starts and been unplaced just twice.
The lightweight will help.
14. Character (8)
Has been beaten less than a length in his last two in black type company and is another that gets in well with only 52kg.
15. Uncle Bryn (5)
Runner up at his last two in a row including beaten just three quarters of a length in the Naturalism behind Smokin’ Romans who has since come out and won at Group 1 level.
Has placed in eight of 12 overall but drops back in distance for this event.
Drawn perfectly in barrier five.
16. Winning Partner (6)
Has failed to run a place in his last two at listed level and would need to improve dramatically to be any chance in a race of this quality.
Drawn well.