Toorak Handicap – 2022

Track: Soft Weather: Fine

A full field of sixteen have accepted for the Toorak Handicap.  The main lead up race is the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke which was run here three weeks ago over 1400m.  Seven of these ran in it and the winner Callsign Mav carries the top weight here.

Peter Moody’s four year old gelding I Wish I Win has been outstanding at his two Australian starts and he is all the rage in early markets.  Tuvalu and Gentleman Roy are on the next line of betting.

1. Callsign Mav (11)

Won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke over 1400m last start.  Will be on speed again here and is surprisingly long odds at $26-1.

2. Converge (10)

Defeated Anamoe in the Randwick Guineas over this distance in the Autumn.  Recent form is poor however it wouldn’t surprise to see him run a race on a firmer surface here.

3. Dalasan (12)

Was not beaten far in the Sir Rupert Clarke but needs to find at least a couple of lengths to be competitive here.

4. Law Of Indices (15)

Boxed on well first up in the Sir Rupert Clarke.  Fitter for that and gets J Mac.  Can improve sharply.

5. I Wish I Win (13)

Bolted in here by four lengths at first Australian run, then held up at a key stage but still good enough to win at Sandown last start.  Ran fast time doing so.  Ready to peak here third up at the mile.  The one to beat.

6. Hilal (2)

Disappointed in the Sir Rupert Clarke.  Is hard to have off that effort.

7. Buffalo River (7)

Only knows one way.  Straight to the front and run along.  Doubt he can win.

8. Tuvalu (1)

Was heavily backed in the Sir Rupert Clarke first up and probably would have won had Buffalo River not taken him on mid race.  Will derive plenty of benefit from that.  Barrier 1 could be problematic if they are coming down the middle late in the day.

9. Gentleman Roy (4)

Lightly raced six year old gelding who just keeps getting better.  He won the Sandown Stakes second up and should have further improvement to come here.  Each way chance.

10. Bankers Choice (16)

Okay from the back second up.  Blinkers go on here but not sure how well he is going?

11. Military Expert (9)

Is flying this prep.  Lead and bolted in at Moonee Valley, then a good closing second in the Sandown Stakes.  Drawn well and keeps Kah.  One of the chances.

12. Noname Lane (3)

Is on the quick back up after winning the Seymour Cup last Sunday.  Won’t get the same control out in front here.

13. Pinstriped (14)

Has found the line strongly at both runs back.  Looks to have been set for this.  Expecting him to run well.

14. Character (8)

Backs up after an unlucky third at Flemington last week.  This is harder.

15. Uncle Bryn (5)

Interesting runner.  All three runs back have been full of merit including last start when not beaten far in the Naturalism.  Raced in the wrong section of the track there and the winner has since come out and won the Group 1 Turnbull.  Comes back to 1600m with just 52kg on his back.  Best roughie in the race.

16. Winning Partner (6)

Outclassed here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5 I Wish I Win	5 I Wish I Win
8 Tuvalu	15 Uncle Bryn
9 Gentleman Roy	8 Tuvalu
12 Noname Lane	9 Gentleman Roy

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Tuvalu
2nd	4 Laws Of Indices	0.75 length
3rd	11 Military Expert	0.95 length
4th	9 Gentleman Roy	1.05 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 16. Winning Partner.