Another Wil gains early favouritism for Toorak Handicap

The Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) is the last of three massive Group 1’s at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of 13 set to line up in one of Victoria’s greatest handicaps.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil has been the long-standing favourite with horse racing bookmakers both pre-and-post barrier draw, with the progressive five-year-old gelding installed as the $2.80 favourite after drawing barrier one.

The son of Street Boss will be ridden by Michael Dee while Jamie Kah serves the remainder of her suspension before returning on Caulfield Cup/Everest Day.

Trainer Tony Gollan will be hopeful a return to handicap conditions will favour Antino after contesting the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 27, with the Queensland-based gelding being respected on the second line of betting at $6.00.

The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) winner Orchestral ($9.00) returns to Australia after a luckless first-up performance at Ellerslie on September 21 and appears well-placed with 54kgs on her back.

Desert Lightning will be searching for back-to-back wins after claiming victory in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) on September 28, with the five-year-old gelding needing to carry top weight of 57kgs to victory with Luke Nolen in the saddle.

Godolphin has a tough decision to make regarding Pericles dual-accepted for this event and the $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on the same day.

Craig will be trying to turn the tables on Desert Lightning from the Sandown Stakes and is being respected at the $10.00, while the Grant & Alana Williams-trained Alsephina ($11.00) brings winning form into this, claiming the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1514m) on September 27.

Meanwhile, Osipenko ($14.00) will be the only runner representing the Chris Waller barn, with Damien Lane booked to take the reins from barrier three.

The 2024 Toorak Handicap is the final race on the program at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with the mouthwatering clash set to get underway at 5:45pm local time.