The Epsom Handicap headlines another enormous program at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 2nd, and some of the country’s best milers are engaged.
It is always one of the highlights of the Sydney Spring Carnival, and a terrific betting edition of the Epsom Handicap has materialised as the likes of Riodini, Mo’unga and Hungry Heart chase their share in a cool $1.5 million.
Check out my complete 2021 Epsom Handicap Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #1 Mo’unga
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Epsom Handicap – Winner – No. 1 Mo’unga
He will carry topweight and will leave from barrier 13, but he remains the best horse in the field for mine, and I am happy to put Mo’unga on top of my 2021 Epsom Handicap tips.
The Savabeel entire has been an above-average horse since making his debut, but he has quite clearly gone to another level under the care of Annabel Neasham, and he broke through for his first victory at the highest level in this year’s Rosehill Guineas.
It is fair to say that he has gone to another level again this prep, and won the Group 1 Winx Stakes first-up before flashing late to only just miss in the Makybe Diva last time.
Fitter third-up, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Epsom Handicap – 2nd – No. 6 Hungry Heart
She has improved for two starts back this time, and Hungry Heart will be peaking third-up in the Epsom Handicap.
The Frankel mare has always been good, but she finally started to realise her top line potential in autumn this year, and ended her season with consecutive wins in the Vinery Stud Stakes and the Australian Oaks.
She needed her first run back this time when eighth in the Winx Stakes, but she kept all of her best work for late when hitting the line for fourth in the George Main Stakes, and Kerrin McEvoy stays aboard on Saturday.
Epsom Handicap – 3rd – No. 3 Dalasan
It is fair to say that he hasn’t shown his best form in two starts back this time, but the Epsom Handicap looks the perfect Group 1 target for Dalasan, and his chances of winning have certainly been enhanced with the booking of James McDonald.
Dalasan was unlucky not to claim a Group 1 victory during his three-year-old season, and he has popped up in a few good races since, ending his last prep third in both the Doncaster Mile and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
He was only two and a half lengths behind Sierra Sue in the Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes a fortnight ago, and he will relish getting out to a mile on Saturday.
Epsom Handicap – 4th – No. 13 Atishu
She gets into the 2021 Epsom Handicap field with just 50.5kgs on her back, and I am confident that the Kiwi import Atishu can run a cheeky race.
The Savabeel mare was excellent at the conclusion of her time in New Zealand, winning consecutive Listed races of a mile and 2000m respectively, and she announced herself to the Australian racing community with a lovely win in BM88 company here last month.
While she failed to make up the required distance on Soldier Of Love second-up, she responded with a smart win in the Bill Ritchie Quality a fortnight ago, and she strikes this race in top order.
