Toorak Handicap – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 15 runners for the $500,000 Toorak Handicap and six of them had their last start in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m Stakes on 19 September while two had their last start in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m on 26 September. The early favourite is Buffalo River who has six wins and four places from 11 starts, but hasn’t raced at Group or Listed level before. Second favourite is topweight Junipal who has won his last two outings over 1600m at Moonee Valley and 1700m at Caulfield. Third favourite is I Am Superman who won the Group 2 Shannon Stakes last outing.

Superstorm is a Western Australian visitor who wasn’t  far from the winner in the Sir Rupert Clarke and Turnbull Stakes at his last two starts. Cascadian finished 2.9 lengths 11th in the Rupert Clarke. Mr Quickie finished 7th in the Underwood Stakes, while Sircconi was 0.6 lengths 4th in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes last outing. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mr Quickie

He was well beaten when he finished 7th in the Underwood Stakes over 1800m but ran a good 2nd in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at the start before.

2. Cascadian

This gelding from the Godolphin stable finished 2.9 lengths 11th in the Rupert Clarke which isn’t good enough to win here.

3. So Si Bon

He has had 22 Group 1 starts without a win but can manage to place occasionally.

4. I Am Superman

Won the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over 1500m last outing and won over 1400m at Caulfield the start before. Should fight out the finish.

5. Superstorm

Western Australian visitor who wasn’t far from the winner in the Sir Rupert Clarke and Turnbull Stakes at his last two starts. One of the chances.

6. Chief Ironside

Resumed for 3rd in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and generally improves second-up. Rough place chance.

7. Mandela Effect

He has won 12 of his 25 starts and has a great record in Tasmania. He was held up when 2.4 lengths 9th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and should improve on that.

8. Reykjavik

Was 5th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and barrier 14 doesn’t help.

9. Achernar Star

Ran 4th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and could place from the inside barrier.

10. Sikandarabad

Comes back to a mile after 12th in the Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m. Not here.

11. Sircconi

Was 0.6 lengths 4th in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes last outing. Not the worst.

12. Age Of Chivalry

Has drawn the outside barrier. Rough place chance.

coming soon

13. Junipal

He has won his last two outings over 1600m at Moonee Valley and 1700m at Caulfield. This is a big jump in grade but he is in-form and can figure in  the finish.

14. Harlech

Ran 14th in the Sir Rupert Clarke at his first Australian run but has very good form in New Zealand. One to watch.

15. Buffalo River

Has six wins and four places from 11 starts, but hasn’t raced at Group or Listed level before.

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

Jo’s Tips
4 I Am Superman
13 Junipal
15 Buffalo River
5 Superstorm

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Mr Quickie
2nd	15. Buffalo River	2 lengths
3rd	5. Superstorm	2.5 lengths
4th	12. Age Of Chivalry	3 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3

Scratchings were – nil