A Group 1 triple-header is in store at Randwick this Saturday, headlined by the $1.5 million Epsom Handicap over the mile.
A capacity field has been accepted for one of Sydney’s biggest spring races, and like years past, there’s a genuine case to be made for a handful of contenders.
Chasing his fifth win, Chris Waller holds a strong hand in the race with Kovalica, Waterford, Democracy Manifest, and Rediener all stepping out while John Keys’ gelding The Inevitable has genuine claims coming off a runner-up effort in the Theo Marks Stakes first-up.
It’s shaping as a wide-open race, and to help you out, we’ve analysed every runner in this year’s Epsom field below!
1. My Oberon (18)
My Oberon presents fitter third-up following a pair of tough runs in the Tramway and the 7 Stakes.
He stuck to the task quite well to run fourth along the inside over the track and distance a fortnight ago, but maps to get a completely different ride in transit this time from a tricky gate.
His third-up form (4:1-2-1) can’t be overlooked, but after struggling to finish off in weaker races so far, it’s tough to entertain him for anything more than a place.
2. Pericles (14)
3. The Inevitable (8)
The Inevitable is having his second run back from a spell after turning in an eye-catching effort in the Theo Marks Stakes a couple of weeks ago at Rosehill.
The old boy by Dundeel was arguably one of the runs of the race, weaving his way through traffic at the top of the straight, before finding top gear down the outside where he was beaten less than half a length by Golden Mile.
His second-up record is incredibly strong, while he was also beaten just under a length by subsequent Group 1 winner Mr Brightside in the All-Star Mile.
David Pires knows him inside and out, and from barrier 8, I think the pair rate a serious danger if they can get back and save something for late.
4. Going Global (12)
Going Global gets another crack at the mile after running sixth over the same track and distance in the 7 Stakes two weeks earlier.
Chris Waller’s Irish import led out of the turn but weakened around the 200m mark, swamped late by the likes of Zaaki and the fast-finishing Think It Over.
Four wins over the trip warrant big respect, while she’s also recorded a couple of wins at this stage of her prep.
The barrier is against her, but another top five finish isn’t out of the question if she runs to her best up on the speed.
5. Converge (9)
It’s been well over a year since Converge last won a race, but there was a bit to like about his return effort in the Bill Ritchie a few weeks back.
The five-year-old by Frankel was in a lovely spot at the top of the straight, looking well on his way to running a place before being checked around the 200m mark by the eventual winner Rediener.
He should approve off that effort, and although this is a rise in class, the fact three of his four wins have come over the mile suggests another honest performance can be expected.
6. Golden Mile (21)
Golden Mile had the run of the race in the Theo Marks Stakes last time out, scrubbing up along the rail to kick clear at the 100m mark under Nash Rawiller.
He was tested at Group 1 level the start prior though in the Winx Stakes, beaten well over six lengths where he was second-last to greet the judge.
Blake Shinn has been in terrific form in Victoria recently, but this looks a tough assignment from a very awkward gate.
7. Kirwan’s Lane (11)
Kirwan’s Lane is somewhat of a Randwick specialist, winning three starts here over the track and trip.
It’s been close to a year since he found the winner’s circle, but he does tend to improve with racing.
His recent effort in the Shannon Stakes last week can be forgiven after copping a bump out of the gates, while he also had genuine excuses the start prior in the Theo Marks Stakes.
A win at this level looks highly unlikely, but he has raced well on the quick backup in the past.
8. Hope In Your Heart (10)
Hope In Your Heart gets another chance at a Group 1 after running fourth in both the Coolmore and the Doncaster Mile earlier in the autumn.
Kerry Parker’s mare was enormous on return in the Tramway Stakes to begin the month, charging the line late to fill the minor placings after being sandwiched between a pair of runners.
In typical fashion, she’s been kept fresh for the run, and has since had a soft trial at Rosehill to keep her sharp.
The blinkers also go on for the first time, and with some of her best racing coming over the mile, she should prove hard to beat if Craig Williams can find cover early.
9. Diamil (5)
Diamil looks like he might be needing easier based on recent form.
John O’Shea’s Irish raider hasn’t gone close to running a place in his last four starts, finishing last in the Tramway fresh over 1400m before racing wide without cover in the 7 Stakes.
His third-up record is strong, but this looks too tough.
10. Kovalica (7)
Queensland Derby winner Kovalica gets out to his preferred trip where he’s a perfect three-from-three during his short career.
Chris Waller’s four-year-old gave away a start first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes, caught between runners at one point which really made life tough in the run home.
He should be much better for that effort though, and he does get in well at the weights with Hong Kong superstar Joao Moreira taking over the reins for the first time.
The son of Ocean Park was all class winning the Queensland Guineas over the mile second-up last prep, and with a soft trial between starts, he should be right in the finish.
11. Nugget (19)
The jury is still out on whether Nugget is a Group 1 horse, but he has held his own at the top level finding a place in both the CF Orr and the Doncaster Mile earlier in the year.
He resumed in good order in the Theo Marks three weeks ago beaten just over a length by Golden Mile, while six of his seven wins have come over 1600m so far.
Where he winds up from the sticky gate is the big question, but if he gets across early and lands just off the speed, a place wouldn’t shock.
12. Pounding (13)
Pounding is having just his second crack at a Group 1 after running home late for a place in the Australia Cup earlier in the autumn.
The Exceed and Excel gelding is as honest as they come, returning a pair of pleasing efforts so far this prep, most notably finishing 1.4 lengths off Pinstriped in the Feehan Stakes at The Valley.
That form looks okay with Tuvalu running second in the Underwood Stakes last week, while Peter Moody’s five-year-old also tends to do his best racing third-up from a spell.
He’s another that will need luck from the gate, but he’s a definite each-way chance if Jamie Kah can save him for late.
13. Communist (6)
It’s tough to know where Communist is at right now.
The Freedman-trained four-year-old was plain first-up in the Winx Stakes, failing to show much improvement back a level in the Tramway three weeks later.
He does love racing over the mile though, while it’s worth noting his win in the Randwick Guineas came at this stage of his prep during the autumn.
14. Duke De Sessa (15)
Duke De Sessa is another Irish import that potentially has his sights set on the Cup’s later in the spring.
The Lope de Vega entire had excuses fresh in the Memsie Stakes, caught wide at one point after settling well back from the speed in the early stages.
He does tend to come on with racing, but from a tricky gate and likely looking for further, he’s tough to entertain at this stage.
15. Madame Pommery (16)
Madame Pommery is yet to win a race after taking out the 1000 Guineas almost a year ago.
She showed real promise beaten only narrowly on return by Pericles in the Spring Preview but was the victim of a slow start second-up in the Theo Marks Stakes where she was too far back to threaten.
Drawn awkwardly and probably looking for a wet track, she’s tough to entertain.
16. Democracy Manifest (1)
Cult hero Democracy Manifest steps up to the top level for the first time after winning the Cameron Handicap at a nice price two weeks ago.
Getting out to the mile third-up looks ideal, and he has recorded several impressive wins here at Randwick in the past. Where he gets to from the inside gate remains to be seen, but if he can do his usual trick and settle toward the tail early, he should be finishing strongly over the top.
17. Rediener (2)
Rediener is an in-form gelding for Chris Waller that is searching for his fourth win on the trot.
The son of Redoute’s Choice had plenty against him fresh in the Bill Ritchie, striking traffic down the straight but proving too good to hold out on his way to a comfortable win.
Like others, this is his first Group 1 start, but with a win to his name in the Gunsyd Classic over the mile earlier in the year, the rise in trip should be right up his alley.
18. Barbie’s Fox (4)
Barbie’s Fox is deep into her prep, but she has held her form nicely to return a win and a place from her last four starts.
She didn’t beat much in the Winter Challenge two back at Rosehill, but after looking no hope at the top of the straight, she did pick up well to win by nearly half a length in the end.
Her chase in the Bill Ritchie last time out was strong, but this is tougher again.
19. Waterford (20)
Waterford was a tough watch for anyone that backed him as favourite in the Shannon Stakes last week, beaten over a length third in the end after giving himself plenty of work to do three-wide.
The Waller stable clearly think he’s capable of making amends returning on a quick backup, but untried over the mile and racing from a tough draw, he’s nothing more than a knockout chance at best.
20. Olentia (17)
Olentia is having her first start at Group 1 level after showing some real potential earlier in the autumn.
She ate up the wet conditions winning at Hawkesbury and Randwick in succession, resuming at Rosehill seven weeks ago where she overcame a wide run in transit to win well.
The Zoustar mare was the beaten favourite in the Bill Ritchie a couple of weeks ago where she had a tough time out wide. From barrier 17, this shapes as another difficult assignment.
Emergencies
21. Williamsburg (3)
22. Political Debate (22)