The Epsom Handicap at Randwick is set to be one of the highlights of Sydney’s Epsom Day, with a capacity field of 20 runners expected to line up for the famous 1600m race. Chris Waller, a dominant force in Australian racing, is likely to field a strong team, including last year’s quinella finishers Rediener and Kovalica. James McDonald has been booked to ride Kovalica, while Rediener adds further depth to Waller’s contingent, which also includes Bill Ritchie Handicap winner McHale and Osipenko.
Celestial Legend, last season’s Doncaster winner, is expected to back up from a strong finish in the Shannon Stakes, with Kerrin McEvoy to ride.
Tom Berry has been booked for Godolphin’s Tom Kitten, while Chad Schofield will pick up the ride on Ceolwulf. The field will also likely include notable contenders like Arapaho, My Oberon, and Detonator Jack, making this year’s Epsom Handicap a fiercely competitive race.
Royal Patronage heads the market with online betting sites at $5.00 in what is tipped to be a wide open race.
Epsom Handicap Likely Field
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL PATRONAGE | G Waterhouse & A Bott | 56kgs | |
| MCHALE | C Waller | 50kgs | |
| ENCAP | G Portelli | D Gibbons | 53kgs |
| ARAPAHO | B Baker | 56.5kgs | |
| MY OBERON | A Neasham & R Archibald | 56.5kgs | |
| CELESTIAL LEGEND | L Bridge | K McEvoy | 56kgs |
| DETONATOR JACK | C Maher | 56kgs | |
| KOVALICA | C Waller | J McDonald | 55.5kgs |
| REDIENER | C Waller | 55.5kgs | |
| DEMOCRACY MANIFEST | C Waller | 55kgs | |
| FREEDOM RALLY | T Gollan | 54.5kgs | |
| CEOLWULF | J Pride | C Schofield | 54kgs |
| NUGGET | C Maher | 54kgs | |
| OSIPENKO | C Waller | 54kgs | |
| TOM KITTEN | J Cummings | T Berry | 54kgs |
| UNSPOKEN | P Snowden | 54kgs | |
| BERKSHIRE SHADOW | C Maher | 53kgs | |
| NEW ENERGY | C Maher | 52.5kgs | |
| GRINGOTTS | C Maher | 52kgs | |
| MAJOR BEEL | G Waterhouse & A Bott | 51.5kgs | |
| BASES LOADED | G Waterhouse & A Bott | 52kgs | |
| KINTYRE | G Portelli | 50kgs | |
| TANNHAUSER | C Waller | 50kgs |
