Hannans Handicap – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 13 runners for the $150,000 Hannans Handicap. There are 12 geldings and one mare and they range in age from four to nine-years-old. Four runners had their last start in the Nicopolis Stakes over 1200m at Belmont on 17 September and two in the Listed Farnley Stakes over 1400m at Belmont on 10 September. The others all came through different races. Two are sired by All Too Hard and two by Dream Ahead. Three runners are trained by Peter Fernie while Luke Fernie, Daniel & Ben Pearce and Chris & Michael Gangemi have two runners each.

The early favourite is six-year-old Startrade who has won 12 of his 31 starts. Second favourite is Staralign who ran 3rd in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes before 1.6 lengths 5th in the Farnley. Third favourite is Coming Around who resumed from a spell for 0.8 length 3rd in the Jolly Beggar Stakes at Belmont.

Western Temple was taken back from a wide barrier but still ran 2nd in the Farnley Stakes. Let’s Galahvant is looking for a hatrick after winning two in a row at Belmont. Titan Blinders finished 1.5 lengths 4th in the Nicopolis Stakes. Son Of Bacchus resumes from a 24 week spell, while Excellent Dream finished 2nd in the Nicopolis.  The other two runners are currently 16 to 1 or longer.

1. Outrageous (12)

One of two runners sired by All Too Hard. He has never raced at Kalgoorlie before. Only beat one runner home in the Listed H.G. Bolton Sprint over 1200m at Belmont on 27 July, then only beat one home again in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes over 1300m at Belmont on 27 August. Hasn’t had a good start to this campaign, so looking elsewhere.

2. Western Temple (10)

One of three runners for Peter Fernie who has won this race before with Black George in 2011 and Mr Vadin in 2013. This nine-year-old finished 5th in this race last year and has raced at Listed level for all 4 races this campaign and has not been far away. He faded for 4th in the Idyllic Prince Stakes then was restrained last by Patrick Carbery (who has won this race before on Fim Maru in 2008) to finish 2nd in the Farnley Stakes where the change in tactics seemed to work. Place chance.

3. Coming Around (8)

Resumed from a 22 week spell for 0.8 length 3rd in the Jolly Beggar Stakes at Belmont on 3 September. This is his best distance and his second-up form is excellent. Grant & Alana Williams trained Tellem We’rs Comin to win this race in 2019. Genuine contender.

4. Dig Deep (6)

This six-year-old flew home for 2nd in this race last year and after the post he dumped his jockey William Pike, in a race where the favourite put on a buckjumping display and destroyed his chances. Ran 4th in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes over 1400m at Belmont on 6 August, then faded to last in the Blue Spec Stakes over 1600m at Belmont on 20 August where he had a big weight. Prefer others.

5. Staralign (9)

A track specialist with 7 wins and 5 places from 13 starts on the track. Finished 3rd in the Idyllic Prince Stakes then 1.6 lengths 5th in the Farnley Stakes. Jockey Lucy Warwick won this race on Royal Rada in 2015 and Reykjavik in 2018. Has to be considered as one of the chances.

6. Startrade (7)

Trained by Daniel Morton, this six-year-old has won 12 of his 31 starts and has 4 wins and 2 places from 7 runs over this distance. He won the Jolly Beggar Stakes on 3 September then was less than 2 lengths behind the winner in the Nicopolis Stakes over 1200m at Belmont on 17 September. Has not raced here before but he is one of the main hopes.

7. Creator (3)

One of two runners for Chris & Michael Gangemi. He has raced at Kalgoorlie twice for a win and a place. He was 2nd in the Kambalda Cup over 1400n here on 14 August, then didn’t handle the soft going when 12th at Belmont on 27 August. Not the worst.

8. Excellent Dream (13)

This Luke Fernie runner has drawn the outside barrier. Resumed from a let-up for a close 2nd in the Nicopolis Stakes last start and has the speed to overcome drawing the widest barrier. Not raced here before, but could surprise.

9. Let’s Galahvant (5)

This four-year-old is the youngest runner this year, and is chasing a hat-trick. He overhauled the leaders late for a 0.8 length win at Belmont on 3 September, then was held up in the straight but surged home late for a 0.6 length win over 1400m at Belmont on 17 September. He has won 7 of his 14 races, and although he hasn’t raced here before he is my top pick.

10. Lorentinio (4)

He has won 8 races at this distance over his career, but has finished well back in the field at both runs this preparation. Unlikely.

11. Solaia (1)

The only mare in the field and has drawn the inside barrier. She resumed for 4 lengths 9th in the Nicopolis Stakes but can improve second-up. Jockey Joseph Azzopardi won this race on Money Matters in 2020. Prefer others.

12. Son Of Bacchus (11)

Resumes after 24 weeks and has had two recent trials. goes well first-up and is a rough place chance. Jockey Peter Knuckey won on Keyton Grace in 2007 and Texan in 2012

13. Titan Blinders (2)

Resumed for 3.8 lengths 5th over 1200m at Belmont, then 1.4 lengths 4th in the Nicopolis Stakes. Should run fitter for those two outings. Jocke Shaun O’Donnell won this race on Black George in 2011. Drawn nicely and not the worst.

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

Jo’s Tips
9 Let’s Galahvant
3 Coming Around
2 Western Temple
6 Startrade

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	9 Let’s Galahvant
2nd	13 Titan Blinders	0.09 length
3rd	8 Excellent Dream	0.15 length
4th	6 Startrade	0.27 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.