Toorak Handicap

See the 2023 Toorak Handicap Preview and results

See the 2022 Toorak Handicap Preview and results

See the 2021 Toorak Handicap Preview and results

See the 2020 Toorak Handicap Preview and results

The Toorak Handicap was first held as a principal race over 8 furlongs (about 1600 metres) in 1881 and was won by Josephine. It has been known by different names over the years. From 1981 to 1984 it was known as The IXL and from 1985 to 1989 it was called The Elders Mile. It became a Group 1 race in 1979.

Lead-up races include the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400 metres and the Gilgai Stakes over 1200 metres. Horses then go onto other middle distance races like the Group 2 Crystal Mile over 1600 metres on Cox Plate Day while fillies and mares may go on to the Group 1 Myer Classic over 1600 metres on Victoria Derby Day.

Last mare to win; More Joyous (2010)

Last 3YO to win: C&G  – K. Cid (1929); Filly – no filly has won

Multiple winners: Solzhenitsyn (2012 & 2013); Umrum (1999 & 2000); Nicopolis (1963 & 1964); Desert Breeze (1952 & 1953); Saxony (1948 & 1949).

Fastest time (1600m): Lucky Hussler (2015) 1:34:5

Interesting trivia: Galilee is the only horse to win a Toorak Handicap and Melbourne Cup > he did this in 1966.

Only a few horses have managed to win this race in more than one year. They are Solzhenitsyn (2012 and 2013), Umrum (1999 and 2000), Nicopolis (1963 and 1964), Desert Breeze (1952 and 1953) and Saxony (1948 and 1949). Most winners are above average sprinter milers and most are not stayers who can go on to the longer distance Cup races.

Tobin Bronze (1967) was the only Toorak winner to also win a Cox Plate. Several Toorak winners have won the Caulfield Cup but there has been none since Cole Diesel in 1989. Leilani (1974) was the only mare to complete the Toorak Handicap – Caulfield Cup double. Galilee was the only horse to win the Toorak and the Melbourne Cup, in 1966.

2018 Toorak Handicap Preview & Tips:

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 18 plus one emergency for the $500,000 Aquis Toorak Handicap. Five of them had their last start in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes three weeks ago, and four had their last start in the Epsom Handicap two weeks ago. The betting is very open and the early favourite is Shillelagh who hit the line strongly for 4th in the Epsom last start. Second favouritism is shared between Epsom winner Hartnell who goes up 2kg, and Land Of Plenty who had no luck when a close 3rd in the Rupert Clarke last start.

Noire chased hard to win the Group 2 Shannon Stakes last start. Jungle Cat won three races in Dubai before winning the Rupert Clarke last time. Siege Of Quebec battled away for 7th in the Epsom following a win in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap. Muraaqeb was 5th in the Epsom. Cliff’s Edge chased hard to win over 1400m at Caulfield last start after the rider lost his whip and could make his presence felt. Waging War is unbeaten in two runs at the mile and Dollar For Dollar was 2nd in the Rupert Clarke. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.