W H Wylie Handicap – 2022

Track: Soft   Weather: Rainy

There is a field of 11 runners for the $107,250 W H Wylie Handicap. There are eight geldings and three mares, with one four-year-old, 2 five-year-olds, 3 six-year-olds, 4 seven-year-olds and a nine-year-old. Trainers David Jolly, Phillip Stokes and Tom Dabernig have two runners each. Three runners are first-up and they have all come via different races.

The early favourite is Taunting who has won his last two starts and is the baby of the field at four-years-old. Second favourite is Kemalpasa who ran 2nd in this race last year and is resuming from a 25 week spell. Third favourite is Calypso Reign who has four wins from six races this campaign.

Behemoth has a great record at this track and distance and is a multiple Group 1 winner.  Tequila Time should run fitter at his 3rd run from a spell, while Kalkarni Royale is back from a let-up and goes well on soft going. The other runners are all over 20 to 1.

1. Behemoth (8)

One of two runners for David Jolly. This seven-year-old All Too Hard gelding resumed to finish worse than midfield on the Heavy 9 track in the Group 3 Spring Stakes after winning that race in both 2021 and 2022. He has had a five week let-up since then and is a classy runner who should be in the finish.

2. Kemalpasa (9)

He ran 2nd in this race last year and goes well at this track. Resuming from a 25 week spell. and goes well fresh. Trained By Richard and Chantelle Jolly. Richard won this race as a jockey on Lazing About in 1998, and has won as a trainer with Very Discreet in 2009 and Karacatis who won in both 2013 and 2014. Strong place chance.

3. Morvada (6)

This nine-year-old gelding is the oldest runner in the race this year. Trained by Peter Jolly who won  with Lazing About in 1998. Resumes from an 18 week spell and generally needs a run or two Prefer others.

4. Calypso Reign (4)

He has four wins from six races this campaign. He won the Group 3 Spring Stakes on heavy going, then came from well back to finish 1.5 lengths 4th in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley on 3 September. One of the main chances.

5. Tequila Time (7)

Should run fitter at his 3rd run from a spell  Adelaide is expecting more rain which won’t help his chances.

6. Shamino (1)

One of two runners for Phillip Stokes who won this race with  Snitzkraft in 2020. Has three wins at this track and distance combination and has drawn the inside barrier. Place chance.

7. Kalkarni Royale (5)

This six-year-old mare is back from a let-up and goes well on soft going. One of two runners for Tom Dabernig. Hasn’t won for over a year. Prefer others.

8. Lady Dunmore (2)

First up after a 22 week break and has never won first-up. Looking elsewhere.

9. Melba Storm (3)

She has five wins from 13 starts and has two wins and a 2nd from three starts at this distance. Resumed for 6 lengths 7th over 1200m at Geelong. Could surprise.

10. Taunting (11)

This four-year-old trained by  Michael Hickmott is the youngest horse in the race. He was a 1.4 length winner over 1000m at Murray Bridge on soft going on 6 August, then a 2.6 length winner over 1050m at Morphettville on soft going on 3 September. He has four wins and a place from seven starts and all wins were on rain-affected going. My top pick.

11. Wotuwant (10)

Has no wins at this track or distance. Looking to others.

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

Jo’s Tips
10 Taunting
4 Calypso Reign
2 Kemalpasa
1 Behemoth

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	6 Shamino
2nd	2 Kemalpasa	0.9 length
3rd	10 Taunting	1.1 lengths
4th	4 Calypso Reign	1.3 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratchings: 9. Melba Storm.