Toorak Handicap – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

We have to wait to 5:50pm for the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and what a race it is shaping to be.  The Cox Plate favourite Amelia’s Jewel is all the rage in early betting following two cracking wins against the mares this campaign.  The Queenslander Antino has drawn sticky but has made an impression in his two Victorian runs.  He was luckless first up before a good effort to win running away from an inform Here To Shock at Sandown last start.   It’s not hard to make cases for plenty of others.  Great betting race!

1 My Oberon  – SCRATCHED

2 The Inevitable

Tasmanian superstar who was third in the All Star Mile earlier in the year.  Resumed with a very good run first up at Rosehill then was luckless when well fancied in the Epsom last start.  He has a but I would have loved to have seen a jockey change.

3 Amelia’s Jewel

The superstar mare from the West.  She’s lived right up to the hype so far with impressive wins at Flemington and the Valley.  It just comes down to price here.  I think there will be better than the $2.30 currently available on the day.

4 Pinstriped

Has been kept fresh after winning the Feehan four weeks ago.  He’s in career best form and has an each way chance.

5 Pounding

Was third in the Australian Cup in March.  Loved the run two back in the Feehan.  Not sure what happened last start in the Epsom where he never came on.  Could bounce back here, back to the Melbourne way of going and with a nice gate.

6 Antino

Spruik horse from Queensland.  Was one of the best things beat you have ever seen first up Flemington, then did a good job to reel in Here To Shock at Sandown last start.  The gate is the obvious knock but he’s got the best jockey in Melbourne to try and negate that.  Think he goes close with a good ride.

7 Attrition

Talented four year old who had an off day in the Underwood last start.  Was very good in the Feehan prior.

8 Bankers Choice (NZ)

Strips fitter second up but needs to find many lengths and has a poor draw.

9 Corner Pocket

He kept building through the line last start in the Testa Rossa.  Looks ready to peak now.

10 Pride of Jenni

Has put down two terrific runs behind Amelia’s Jewel this prep.  Stuck on bravely after racing wide first up, then kicked strongly at the Valley last start where she was beaten less than a length by Amelia’s Jewel.    If they weren’t gut busters she can win this.

11 Ironclad (GB)

Won the Balaklava Cup last start.  It’s been a while since he has been down in the weights!

12 Savannah Cloud (NZ)

Consistent gelding who makes his luck up on speed.  Might find it tough from the draw.

13 See You in Heaven

South Australian trained mare who was fourth in the Let’s Elope four weeks ago.  Don’t think she’s good enough.

14 Here to Shock (NZ)

Have loved what he’s done in his two runs back.  Gave the heavily backed Devoted 9.5kg first up kicked and was only collared late.  Last start at Sandown he offered a good kick again only to be reeled in by Antino late.  He will run really well here and is worth an each way ticket.

15 Amenable

Found everyones black book after screaming up the fence in the Group 1 Memsie two back, then got too far back in a slowly run race when an odds on favourite last start.  Tounge tie goes on.  One of the better roughies in the race.

16 Charterhouse (GB)

Maher and Eustace galloper who hit the line nicely in the Bobbie Lewis first up.  Would not surprise to see him jump out of the ground here.

17 Beltoro

Not here.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
6 Antino	3 Amelia’s Jewel
14 Here To Shock	6 Antino
3 Amelia’s Jewel	2 The Inevitable
15 Amenable	14 Here To Shock

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7 Attrition
2nd	6 Antino	0.1 length
3rd	8 Bankers Choice	1.1 lengths
4th	15 Amenable	1.2 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratching: 1. Oberon.