Track: Good   Weather: Cloudy

There is a field of 17 runners for the $1,500,000 Epsom Handicap, with five from the Chris Waller stable and two from Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Five runners had their last start in the Group 1 George Main Stakes over 1600m, four in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap over 1400m, two in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap over 1500m, two in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over 1500m and one each in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, Sir Rupert Clark Stakes and the Group 2 Golden Pendant. There are 11 geldings, two stallions and four mares.

The early favourite is five-year-old  Riodini who finished 3rd in this race last year and finished 2nd to Verry Elleegant in the George Main Stakes last start. Second favourite is topweight Mo’unga who followed a win in the Winx Stakes with 2nd in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Third favourite is 2021 Australian Oaks winner  Hungry Heart who finished 4th in the George Main Stakes last outing.

Private Eye has won seven of his 12 starts.  Icebath finished strongly in the Golden Pendant with the best last 400m race sectional of the day. Aramayo has a great record at this distance. Dalasan has placed at both previous runs at this track. Atishu has won six of her last seven runs, while Sky Lab finished a nostril 2nd in the Cameron Handicap and only has 50.5 kg to carry.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mo’unga

The topweight is a four-year-old stallion trained by Annabel Neasham with five wins and three places from 11 starts. He won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas in the autumn and resumed from a spell to get his second Group 1 win first-up in the Winx Stakes. Last start he finished 0.3 length 2nd in the Makybe Diva Stakes behind the Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise.

2. Cascadian

Trained by James Cummings, this seven-year-old won the 2021 Doncaster Mile last campaign. He will carry 3.5 kg more than he did in that race, but with three runs back from a break he is not without a place chance.

3. Dalasan

Has placed at both previous runs at this track with 3rd in the 2021 Doncaster Mile then 3rd in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes before spelling. Has had two starts since a spell with the latest 2.6 lengths 8th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Might need another run before he shows his best.

4. Star Of The Seas

One of the five runners for Chris Waller, this seven-year-old finished 3rd in this race in 2019 and never really got clear when 3.2 lengths 11th last year. Has great heavy track form so consider him if there is a lot of rain.

5. Lion’s Roar

Has been disappointing in both runs this preparation. Only beat one runner home in the Tramway and only beat one home in the George Main. Would need to improve sharply to feature here.

6. Hungry Heart

2021 Australian Oaks winner who finished 4th in the George Main Stakes last outing. Drops 4.5 kg from that run and should go well.

7. Icebath

This five-year-old mare trained by Brad Widdup at Hawkesbury was a close 2nd in the Doncaster Mile back in April. Last start she finished strongly in the Golden Pendant with the best last 400m race sectional of the day, and rates highly here.

8. Rock

Finished 7th in this race last year. Hasn’t placed in three runs this preparation and looks safely held.

9. Riodini

One of the two runners for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. He finished 3rd in this race last year and finished 2nd to Verry Elleegant in the George Main Stakes last start. Drops 7.5 kg from that race. Provided he gets across from the wide gate without incident he should feature in the finish.

10. Aramayo

Has a great record at this distance and has placed in both runs this preparation including a close third in the Bill Ritchie last start. Would not surprise to see him place.

11. Reloaded

This five-year-old Snitzel gelding from the Chris Waller team only got clear late when 0.3 length 3rd in the Shannon Stakes. Looked unlucky and is a rough place chance.

12. Private Eye

Has won seven of his 12 starts. Having his first start at Group 1 level and can make his presence felt.

13. Atishu

A former New Zealand mare who has won six of her last seven runs. Has had three runs at Randwick for two wins, including the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap last outing. Really like this mare and think she will go well.

14. Discharged

Nicely drawn in barrier 2 this Snitzel gelding was run down late for a close 2nd in the Shannon Stakes.

15. Ashman

Last start he had barrier 1 when he won the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle. This time he has drawn the outside barrier. Might struggle.

16. Harmony Rose

This four-year-old mare is the most lightly-raced runner in the field this year, but she has won three of her eight starts and has two Group 1 placings from three attempts. Barrier 16 has not helped her.

17. Sky Lab

Finished a nostril 2nd in the Cameron Handicap and only has 50.5 kg to carry. Could run a big race from barrier 4.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
9 Riodini
1 Mo’unga
7 Icebath
13 Atishu

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12. Private Eye
2nd	10. Aramayo	0.14 length
3rd	3. Dalasan	0.18 length
4th	2. Cascadian	1.33 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: –