The feature race at Randwick this Saturday is the Epsom Handicap (1600m) with a capacity field assembled and a host of winning chances.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Epsom Handicap.
2024 Epsom Handicap Speed Map
I can’t see too many putting their hand up and despite drawing wide, I think Royal Patronage gets across comfortably. Berkshire Shadow could find the fence first and then take a sit from Major Beel and from there, he either leads or sits off Royal Patronage. Nugget potentially won’t be too far away.
2024 Epsom Handicap Runner Preview:
1. My Oberon: Thought he ran a super race in the 7 Sport Stakes behind Fangirl but I think the wide barrier has sealed his fate and I am surprised he is the price he is. Should be much longer.
2. Royal Patronage: He brings the right form and has the sense of timing. Tramway win was dominant and was game in defeat behind Fangirl. Will press forward, land in a good spot and is one of the hardest to beat.
3. Detonator Jack: Detonator Jack is a key threat at odds. He comes through the 7 Stakes from two weeks back where he had the suck run in behind and tried hard but not sure WFA is his go in life, but that said, he was far from disgraced behind Fangirl. He has runs on the board and brings the WFA form, so he is a definite chance.
4. Kovalica: On paper, could be one of the worst placed horses in history. But with a genuine tempo likely on the cards, he will be getting the suck run in transit, and if the breaks go his way, he has the potential to blow this field away, especially with J Mac aboard.
5. Redeiner: Defending champ from last year but not sure he is as going as well 12 months. He goes through to the keeper.
6. Democracy Manifest: Democracy Manifest is third up from a spell and should just about be at peak fitness for Chris Waller. I thought he was super in his return behind Joliestar in the Show County before going to the Tramway where he seemed to have second up syndrome and was never a factor. Off the resumption, he can bounce back and run an improved race.
7. Ceowulf: Ceowulf has the 2000m run into a big Randwick mile, which has traditionally been a perfect formula. He tried his guts out to get past Eliyass, but in a sit/sprint, he couldn’t do much more than what he did when second. Back to the mile, in well at the weights, he clearly rates highly for mine.
8. Nugget: Resumed behind Royal Patronage in the Tramway and didn’t get the clearest of paths in the straight so a total forgive I say. He has been teasing to win a good race and the depth here isn’t overly deep.
9. Tom Kitten: Got the win first up and then went to the Tramway where I thought he was quite plain and off that, as well as the wide gate, I can’t see him threatening.
10. Berkshire Shadow: I thought he was slaughtered in the Cameron at Newcastle and he did a remarkable job to get as close as he did. He’s flying, he maps to get a much better run in transit…dangerous at odds.
11. Loch Eagle: The other I am going to speck is Loch Eagle for Kris Lees. You look at his Randwick 1600m form, it does read very well. Ingham/Villiers winner from last year and he didn’t disgrace himself at all in the Doncaster, where he carried 53kg. 52.5kg for this and his run in the Cameron at Newcastle was pretty much a barrier trial. I think he’ll run a big race at a big price.
12. Major Beel: This guy is flying but gee whiz he is very short. He beat up not much first up before going to the 7 Stakes where he led and gave a strong sight but couldn’t quite see it through. He looks the leader, he’ll give an almighty sight…but he’s just too short.
13. Chrysaor: I don’t think he beat much at Flemington last time but he did let down with purpose and was impressive. He was scratched from a much easier race in preference for this so keen to see him, especially down in the weights. Knockout hope.
14. Molly Bloom: Molly Bloom is one of two I am going to speck at odds. On paper, last in the Theo Marks doesn’t scream out, but watching the replay, she just found the 1300m too sharp and in a sit/sprint, she was never a factor. I think with a good gate, a big jockey upgrade, she’ll do no work, suck run and in a fast run mile, she’ll be very strong late I say.
15. Arctic Glamour: Kept chipping away last Saturday in the Golden Pendant but I don’t see her running a strong mile.
16. McHale: Kissed on the date to win the Bill Ritchie but won’t get that here.
17. Ausbred Flirt: Really liked the way she closed off in the Tibbie at Newcastle but she’s not up to these.
18. Kintyre: He’s the sleeper at odds. His run was very good in the Bill Ritchie, sitting wide no cover and kept on in a game effort. He tumbles in weight, maps to settle much closer, get a more economical…he can win.
19. Firestorm: Flying this mare, but she’s not up to these.
20. Galeron: Galeron doesn’t have the best of racing patterns but he is sneaky flying for the Neasham/Archibald camp. He ran second to Floating a fortnight back, getting to near last in the run and while he was never a winning threat, he worked home with real purpose. He’ll be spotting them a start again but should be quite strong at the end.
21. Floating (First Emergency): Floating is a beauty for Matty Smith and is flying but will likely run in the earlier race.
2024 Epsom Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Boxed First for a 5.95% return, using eight runners, with numbers 2-3-4-7-10-11-14-18
Group l Strategy Outlay: $700
Group l Strategy Return: $215
2024 Epsom Handicap Odds:
