The Wizard of Odds goes through the runner-by-runner preview of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick over the mile.
Will Chris Waller or Gai Waterhouse continue their impressive record in the race?
#1 Mo'Unga
Annabel Neasham
The Winx Stakes winner.
He possesses a brillaint finishing burst capable of winning this race, the only query on his chances is how far he gets back on the speed map.
A winning hope, but will need to settle midfield.
Odds: $6.5 the win and $2.2 the place
Finishing position: Fourth
#2 Cascadian
James Cummings
You know exactly what this horse is going to do as he does in most of his Group 1 mile races.
Get back, flash home and either just miss or win and look like a champion.
Probably going to be too far back in the run to be considered a winning hope.
Odds: $16 the win and $4.8 the place
Finishing position: Seventh
#3 Dalasan
Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas
Certainly has the talent to win an Epsom Handicap.
He will handles the wet ground, but he is prone to laying in during his runs which costs him lengths.
James McDonald being booked is a tick.
Odds: $14 the win and $4.2 the place
Finishing position: Eighth
#4 Star of the Seas
Chris Waller
All his best form comes on wet tracks.
He needs it to pour down to considered a genuine winning hope.
Not going as well has he has in previous preparations and expecting a midfield finish.
Odds: $26 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Ninth
#5 Lion's Roar
JOhn O'shea
Would be a surprise to see him finish in the top ten.
Was beaten a long way at his last start and would need a miracle to win this.
Odds: $61 the win and $15 the place
Finishing position: Last
#6 Hungry Heart
Chris Waller
She is tracking beautifully towards the staying races this spring and will be doing her best work late in the race.
Probably wants the rain to stay away, but she is a top six hope.
Wide barrier also means the stable instructions will likely be to snick her back.
Odds: $7 the win and $2.5 the place
Finishing position: Sixth
#7 Icebath
Brad Widdup
She has been super competitive in some hotly contested group races across her career.
The only thing is that every time she runs well, she just finds one or two better than her.
She will be flashing home down the outside and the likelihood of a wet track will bolster her hopes.
Odds: $8 the win and $2.7 the place
Finishing position: Third
#8 Rock
M, J & W Hawkes
Will start $101 and looks well out of his depth.
Odds: $61 the win and $16 the place
Finishing position: Sixteenth
#9 Riodini
Gai Waterhouse & adrian Bott
A front-running Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott marvel who is going to make all the running out in the lead.
He will be the pace setter in the race and if he is left alone to dictate terms up front they are going to have a hell of a time catching him with only the 51.5kgs.
Might be a tad vulnerable late in the race with some big closers looking to run voer the top of him but he is a deserved favourite.
His form runner-up behind star mare Verry Elleegant and Think It Over and is enough to have in the finish.
Odds: $4.6 the win and $1.85 the place
Finishing position: Second
#10 Aramayo
Chris Waller
He is ready to peak into what looks to be his ‘grand final’ race for the preparation.
His run in the Bill Ritchie Handicap is going to have perfectly primed for third-up campaign run over the mile.
Plummets in the weights to 51kgs and will find a spot much closer spot in the run than he did last start.
Gun New Zealand hoop Alysha Collett will take the ride and give this horse every chance to give Chris Waller his fifth Epsom Handicap triumph.
Odds: $10 the win and $3.3 the place
Finishing position: First
#10 Aramayo
Chris Waller
He is ready to peak into what looks to be his ‘grand final’ race for the preparation.
His run in the Bill Ritchie Handicap is going to have perfectly primed for third-up campaign run over the mile.
Plummets in the weights to 51kgs and will find a spot much closer spot in the run than he did last start.
Gun New Zealand hoop Alysha Collett will take the ride and give this horse every chance to give Chris Waller his fifth Epsom Handicap triumph.
Odds: $10 the win and $3.3 the place
Finishing position: First
#10 Aramayo
Chris Waller
He is ready to peak into what looks to be his ‘grand final’ race for the preparation.
His run in the Bill Ritchie Handicap is going to have perfectly primed for third-up campaign run over the mile.
Plummets in the weights to 51kgs and will find a spot much closer spot in the run than he did last start.
Gun New Zealand hoop Alysha Collett will take the ride and give this horse every chance to give Chris Waller his fifth Epsom Handicap triumph.
Odds: $10 the win and $3.3 the place
Finishing position: First
#11 Reloaded
Chris Waller
If there is anyone to guide a horse home over the Randwick mile, it is Glen Boos.
His booking as the jockey for this might be the lead to suggest Reloaded has something to offer than what the recent form shows.
He does, however, look outclassed in this big Group 1 race.
Odds: $21 the win and $6.5 the place
Finishing position: Fifthteenth
#12 Private Eye
Joe Pride
Started one of the favourites in the Bill Ritchie Handicap and, like Aramayo, drops down in the weights.
Had every conceivable chance to win last start and was found wanting the last part of the race.
Not sure he has the improvement in him required to be winning this race despite being short in the market.
Odds: $7 the win and $2.50 the place
Finishing position: Tenth
#13 Atishu
Chris Waller
This mare has brought over her winning New Zealand form with great authority to Australian soil.
She should arguably be undefeated in Sydney if not for a poor ride two starts ago.
The map might be a bit awkward for her as she may be posted wide without cover which is a death sentence at Randwick.
However, her winning form is good enough to be considered a top five chance.
Odds: $15 the win and $4.6 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#14 Discharged
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian bott
He needs to lead at a moderate speed to win.
It is near impossible to see that happening here with his more highly-fancied stablemate the likely leader.
Odds: $15 the win and $4.6 the place
Finishing position: Fourteenth
#15 Ashman
Kim Waugh
Has been whacked away well in provincial and city benchmark grade.
Unfortunately, that form is lightyears away from winning this race.
Odds: $81 the win and $21 the place
Finishing position: Thirteenth
#16 Harmony Rose
Mark Newnham
Her lack of rock-hard race fitness combined with a very wide barrier makes her slim chance in this event.
Expect her to be peaking and winning when she gets to 200 metres and beyond.
Odds: $18 the win and $5.5 the place
Finishing position: Eleventh
#17 Skylab
Paul Perry
Was beaten by Ashman in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
Expecting him to the turn the tables on Ashman in this race, but he will not be winning.
Want to be on him when he goes down in grade to either Group Two or Group Three level and up in distance to 2000 metres.
Seems a little too dour to run a big race here.
Odds: $16 the win and $4.8 the place
Finishing position: Twelvth
