2011 Epsom Handicap Preview & Tips

2011 Epsom Handicap Preview & Tips

Racing returns to Randwick on Saturday for the first time in eight weeks, after repairs to the roof of the Queen Elizabeth II grandstand. It is a Super Saturday, featuring a nine event program with four Group 1, two Group 2, a Group 3 and two Listed races. The headline event is the Group 1 $500,000 Racingnetwork.com.au Epsom Handicap over 1600 metres. There is a field of 18 for the famous Randwick mile, and Gai Waterhouse has three runners in an attempt to equal her father Tommy Smiths record as most successful trainer of the Epsom. She has won 6 times before. Chris Waller also has 3 runners and Greg Eurell has two. There are seven mares in the field, although a mare has not won this race since La Neige in 1976. Seven of the field are last-start winners, nine are four-year-olds, four are five-year-olds , three are six-year-olds and this is one seven and one eight-year-old. The track was downgraded to slow on Thursday morning following overnight rain, and with more rain forecast

Runners in the 2011 Epsom Handicap at Randwick

Sincero ($4.80) is the topweight with 57kg, and has drawn the inside barrier, which has been a problem for him in the past. He has a fantastic record of 11 wins and a 2^nd from 15 starts and has won his last 3 races, all at Group level, with the latest the 1500m Group 1 George Main Stakes at Rosehill. He deserves to be favourite and is a top chance.

Pinker Pinker ($6) is a Victorian mare that won the Group 2 Let’s Elope over 1400m at Flemington on 3 September, then was just beaten by King’s Rose in the Group 2 Stock Stakes over 1600m on 10 September after copping a bump and becoming unbalanced at around the 150m. She can perform well on rain-affected going and has drawn nicely in barrier 5. She also drops nicely in weight from her latest few runs.

Secret Admirer ($8) is the least experienced horse in the field, with only 7 races under her belt, but has won over the Randwick mile in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in October 2010. After that race she had a long spell and has 3 starts since resuming for two 2nds and a 4^th. Drawn wide in barrier 16.

Foreteller ($9) is one of 3 runners from the Chris Waller stable. He won 3 races in a row before his latest 5^th in the Sebring Sprint where he was still winding-up at the end and the 1300m looked too short for him. One of his recent wins was over the Randwick mile on a heavy track, so forget his latest run as he will be right in this.

Sacred Choice ($13) is the oldest mare in the race and is a proven Group 1 performer. She loves the 1600m at Randwick and from 4 races has 3 wins and a 3^rd. The 3^rd was in this race last year, where she finished behind Captain Sonador and Trusting, and one of the wins was the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap Mile in April this year. That win was on a heavy surface from barrier 10. She has drawn very wide here with barrier 17 but is one of the better chances.

Thankgodyou’rehere ($13) has 8 wins and 6 places from 18 starts. He looked good winning the Group 3 Bill Ritchie over 1400m at Rosehill 2 weeks ago, where he raced away and won by 2 lengths. He has mainly raced over 1100 to 1400m and has only had one race over 1600m, which he won. Has drawn nicely in barrier 2 and is a lightweight chance.

King Lionheart ($15) is a Gai Waterhouse runner and has had 2 starts this campaign for 2 wins. He fought right to the line to won the Group 2 Shannon Stakes last wek and with the lightweight should go well.

Jo’s Tips – Epsom Handicap

- Top Tip: (1.) Sincero
- Danger: (5.) Thankgodyou’rehere
- Trifecta: (6.) Pinker Pinker