Victoria Handicap 2023 Race Details
Race 7 at Sandown Racecourse on Saturday the 8th April 2023.
The Victoria Handicap is a Group 3 race held at Sandown Lakeside over 1400 metres. It is held under open handicap conditions on Easter Saturday. The total prizemoney is $200,000 this year.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Victoria Handicap page.
Victoria Handicap 2023 Preview
Track: Wet Weather: Showers
Thirteen runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Easter Cup. Ayrton is the early mover in the betting. He was disappointing first up but has blinkers and a tongue tie for the first time here and his talent can not be questioned. Clemenceau is next in the betting. He ran well at Rosehill last start and maps for a great run. Cardinal Gem looks set to peak third up and likes the wet.
Victoria Handicap 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Callsign Mav
Won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke in the spring. Loves wet tracks and this is the easiest assignment he has faced in some time.
2. Ayrton
He was very disappointing first up and is an unknown on the wet but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a big improvement here with the blinkers going on along with the tongue tie. Tricky horse to assess!
3. Buffalo River
On speed runner who has jumped out well and likes the wet. Can make a case.
4. Frankie Pinot
Made very good ground first up against the pattern and loves heavy ground. Knock out chance at big odds.
5. Lady Of Honour
Struck interference at a key stage first up at the Valley. She’s never missed a place on wet ground and her form around Aegon and Bandersnatch last prep reads well. Chance.
6. Not An Option
Had the night run in transit last start and capitalised to win. Could end up with a similar run here.
7. Cardinal Gem
Has come back super. Good through the line first up over 1200m, then kept coming to finishing second despite racing three wide with no cover last start. Another who likes the wet. Looks set to peak!
8. Pinstriped
Didn’t mind the run last start but he has missed work which is a concern. Market your only guide.
9. Clemenceau
Comes down from Sydney. Just missed in the Group 3 Star Kingdom last start at Rosehill. Maps to get a great run in behind them here!
10. Superium
Not going well enough.
11. Forbidden City
Was good here in the Mannerism two back. But is deep into a preparation and the booking of Meech on a back marker concerns me.
12. Vongole
Outclassed. Rough place chance at best.
13. Typhoon Harmony
Found the black book after a good run last start. Gets a senior rider on and a big weight drop but this is much tougher.
Victoria Handicap 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
|
Lewis Oliver’s Tips
|
Jo Jackson’s Tips | |
| 7 Cardinal Gem | ||
| 5 Lady Honour | 7 Cardinal Gem | |
| 2 Ayrton | ||
| 4 Frankie Pinot | 6 Not An Option |
Previews for other races this week
Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 (Randwick 2000m)
Group 1 Sydney Cup 2023 (Randwick 3200m)
Group 1 Australian Oaks 2023 (Randwick 2400m)
Group 1 Coolmore Legacy/Queen Of The Turf Stakes 2023 (Randwick 1600m)
Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint 2023 (Randwick 1200m)
Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes 2023 (Randwick 1200m)
Group 2 Sapphire Stakes 2023 (Randwick 1200m)
Listed Fernhill Handicap 2023 (Randwick 1600m)
Listed South Pacific Stakes 2023 (Randwick 1400m)
Group 2 WATC Derby 2023 (Ascot 2400m)
Listed Old Comrade Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1600m)
Group 3 Easter Cup 2023 (Sandown 2100m)
Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes 2023 (Sandown 1200m)
Listed Hills Railway Stakes 2023 (Oakbank 1100m)
Victoria Handicap 2023 Race Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 7 Cardinal Gem | |
| 2nd | 4 Frankie Pinot | 2.25 lengths |
| 3rd | 5 Lady Of Honour | 2.35 lengths |
| 4th | 8 Pinstriped | 3.85 lengths |
The track was rated as Soft 7.
Scratchings: 9. Clemenceau, 10. Superium, 13. Typhoon Harmony.