Randwick race-by-race preview & quaddie | Epsom Handicap Day 2024

Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1800m)

The Sara Ryan-trained Humanity represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers in this wide-open Midway Handicap. The son of Roaring Lion appears to be a new horse in his second Australian campaign, with the four-year-old finishing off well over 1600m at Randwick on September 21, all this despite being crowded for room at a crucial stage as Joshua Parr went searching for a run between horses. The extra 200m should be ideal, and with gate three allowing Parr to take closer order, punters can expect Humanity to be fighting out the finish with even luck this time around.

• 2
  

  HUMANITY

• 11
  

  FLYING BANDIT

• 8
  

  STATE OF AMERICA

• 5
  

  AGITA

Race 2: Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m)

Punters get their first glimpse of the newly seasoned two-year-old colts stepping out in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m). North England gets the nod after an impressive piece of work on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on September 23. The son of Farnan led every step of the way to score by 2.4 lengths, and although he didn’t smash the clock compared to some key rivals on the morning, he was visually dominant as booted clear under Tim Clark. He should manage to lead throughout from barrier two, and although the wheels will be spinning at some stage, expect North England to give a bold sight.

• 5
  

  NORTH ENGLAND

• 8
  

  RIPLEY

• 10
  

  TUSCANY

• 4
  

  KING KIRK

Race 3: Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m)

The two-year-old fillies head to the track for the first time in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), where the Ciaron Maher-trained Icarian Dream will take a power of beating. She was sensational in her Kensington barrier trial on September 23, taking a sit in behind the speed before exploding to the lead under a tight grip by Zac Lloyd. The Blue Point filly should land into the one-one from gate three on debut, and provided she can get into the clear when the whips are cracking, expect Icarian Dream to put them away in the final furlong.

• 6
  

  ICARIAN DREAM

• 3
  

  BEL MERCI

• 13
  

  STRADA VARENNA

• 8
  

  MEMO

Race 4: Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m)

After a tough effort in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on September 14, Just Party appears well-placed back in Listed company. The Justify colt was outmatch in the concluding stages but showed plenty of fight in the last 100m to get within a length of Lady Shenandoah. The only question mark is if he can run out a strong mile, but with the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou barn scratching from a very winnable mid-week race at Rosehill for this, punters should be confident Just Party can get the job done in the Dulcify Stakes.

• 2
  

  JUST PARTY

• 1
  

  DEPTH OF CHARACTER

• 3
  

  SWIFTFALCON

• 7
  

  JOHNNY THE KID

Race 5: BM94 Handicap (1600m)

The Chris Waller-trained Chica Mojito is unlucky not to be searching for back-to-back wins after storming home over 1400m at Rosehill on September 14. She was only nosed out by stable companion Firestorm, and with that horse heading to the Epsom later in the day, that must be considered strong form heading into this BM94 contest. Craig Williams takes the reins on the minimum 52kgs, and with barrier three allowing this progressive mare to slot into the ideal stalking position, Chica Mojito should finally claim her first Australian victory.

• 12
  

  CHICA MOJITO

• 7
  

  RIYAZAN

• 2
  

  CAFE MILLENIUM

• 4
  

  FLOATING

Race 6: Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m)

Autumn Glow might be special. The undefeated filly continues to impress with every start, securing her hat-trick of wins in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) without being fully extended under James McDonald. Powers Of Opal, Lady Shenandoah and Snow In May will all be finishing off well, but it’s hard to see them getting by this potential star in the 2024 Flight Stakes.

• 1
  

  AUTUMN GLOW

• 9
  

  POWERS OF OPAL

• 4
  

  LADY SHENANDOAH

• 2
  

  SNOW IN MAY

Race 7: Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m)

Although he was beaten by three lengths in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m), Giga Kick got a pass mark heading into this second-up assignment. He was three wide without cover throughout on that occasion, and his subsequent barrier trial at Canterbury on September 24 suggests the five-year-old is nearing a return to his best. The Clayton Douglas-trained gelding gets one more chance to make a strong impression for the 2024 Everest (1200m), and provided he’s at his peak, watch for Giga Kick to be launching down the centre of the course in the Group 3 Premiere Stakes (1200m).

• 1
  

  GIGA KICK

• 7
  

  BELLA NIPOTINA

• 2
  

  THINK ABOUT IT

• 8
  

  CHAIN OF LIGHTNING

Race 8: Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m)

Multiple scratchings allow Unusual Legacy to take his place in the 2024 Metropolitan Handicap. This untapped stayer burst onto the scene after a second-up romp at Rosehill on September 14, and although he was beaten last Saturday in BM88 company, the son of Unusual Suspect lost no admirers. He’s been crying out for a genuine staying journey, and with 50kg on his back stepping out to the 2400m for the first time, Unusual Legacy should get every chance to claim Group 1 glory.

• 21
  

  UNUSUAL LEGACY

• 10
  

  ZARDOZI

• 13
  

  ETNA ROSSO

• 11
  

  FUTURE HISTORY

Race 9: Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m)

The time-honoured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) has attracted a capacity field of 20 set to do battle for the $1.5 million prize. Royal Patronage and Ceolwulf have both been heavily backed with horse betting sites, with the pair installed as $6.50 favourites. Meanwhile, Kovalica ($7.00) is looking to go one better after finishing runner-up in this race 12 months ago. Will one of the favoured trio get the job done? Or is there an upset brewing?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Epsom Handicap

Race 10: BM94 Handicap (1200m)

Ostraka blew them away first-up at Rosehill on September 14, going on to score by 1.5 lengths in stylish fashion. The son of Pariah did it the hard way, launching down the centre of the course to claim victory. Stepping up to the 1200m at Randwick should be no issue, and with barrier two allowing Jasson Collett to take a trail just in behind the speed, Ostraka looks primed to secure back-to-back wins for the Annabel Nesham & Rob Archibald barn.

• 4
  

  OSTRAKA

• 5
  

  MORAVIA

• 19
  

  PORT LOCKROY

• 8
  

  RHYTHM OF LOVE