The time-honoured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) headlines the action at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, attracting a capacity field of 20 to stake their claim on the $1.5 million prize.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Royal Patronage has opened $4.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers after a strong effort in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at this course and distance on September 21 but will need to get the job done from barrier 17 with Tim Clark in the saddle.
Ceolwulf is on the second line of betting at $6.00, with Chad Schofield set to take the reins aboard the son of Tavistock, dropping back in trip after suffering defeat at the hands of Eliyass in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) a fortnight ago.
The Chirs Waller barn has a strong hand in this year’s edition, with seven runners representing his stable, including Rediener ($26.00) searching for back-to-back wins after claiming victory in this race 12 months ago.
Kovalica ($6.00) is the only one of those in single figures thanks to the appointment of James McDonald, while Democracy Manifest ($13.00) has garnered some support early in betting. Leaving the likes of Mchale ($26.00), Chrysaor ($34.00) and Molly Bloom ($101.00) friendless post-barrier draw.
Godolphin only have one runner in the form of Tom Kitten ($11.00), while Ciaron Maher will send around the trio of Detonator Jack ($15.00), Berkshire Shadow ($17.00) and Nugget ($26.00).
The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained My Oberon ($13.00) will carry top weight in the 2024 Epsom Handicap, with Nash Rawiller needing to navigate a passage to victory from barrier 21.
2024 Epsom Handicap Final Field
1. My Oberon (21)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Nash Rawiller
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 20×03
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dubawi (IRE)
- Dam: My Titania (IRE)
+240
2. Royal Patronage (17)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Tim Clark
- W: 56kg
- F: 31×45
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Wootton Bassett (GB)
- Dam: Shaloushka (IRE)
-111.11
3. Detonator Jack (16)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Jason Collett
- W: 56kg
- F: 45×82
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Jakkalberry (IRE)
- Dam: Red Delicious (NZ)
+340
4. Kovalica (1)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: James McDonald
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 3×563
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
- Dam: Vitesse (NZ)
+125
5. Rediener (12)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joshua Parr
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 4×011
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Redoute’s Choice
- Dam: Wiener
+750
6. Democracy Manifest (10)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 55kg
- F: 04×81
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Flying Artie
- Dam: Slippery Satin
+290
7. Ceolwulf (14)
- T: Joseph Pride
- J: Chad Schofield
- W: 54kg
- F: 216×8
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Tavistock (NZ)
- Dam: Las Brisas (GB)
+140
8. Nugget (11)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Dylan Gibbons
- W: 54kg
- F: 8×704
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Siyouni (FR)
- Dam: Gemstone (IRE)
+550
9. Tom Kitten (19)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Tommy Berry
- W: 54kg
- F: 51×46
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Harry Angel (IRE)
- Dam: Transfers
+240
10. Berkshire Shadow (8)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Ashley Morgan
- W: 53kg
- F: 36×98
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dark Angel (IRE)
- Dam: Angel Vision (IRE)
+340
11. Loch Eagle (18)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Jay Ford
- W: 52.5kg
- F: 806×0
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Lonhro
- Dam: Song Street (IRE)
+3000
12. Major Beel (9)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Winona Costin
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 51×04
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Gram (NZ)
+550
13. Chrysaor (5)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 1×667
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Better Than Ready
- Dam: New Wings
+900
14. Molly Bloom (3)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 0x852
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Ace High
- Dam: Dancilla (NZ)
+3000
15. Arctic Glamour (6)
- T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
- J: Andrew Adkins
- W: 50kg
- F: 372×0
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Frosted (USA)
- Dam: Fartoo Flashy
+550
16. Mchale (15)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Rachel King
- W: 50kg
- F: 1×304
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Shooting to Win
- Dam: Xaar’s Jewel
+550
17. Ausbred Flirt (2)
- T: Brad Widdup
- J: TBC
- W: 50kg
- F: 5×629
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Maurice (JPN)
- Dam: Seven Year Itch
+2500
18. Kintyre (7)
- T: Gary Portelli
- J: Cejay Graham
- W: 50kg
- F: 45×31
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Hallowed Crown
- Dam: Mull Over
+900
19. Firestorm (13)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: TBC
- W: 50kg
- F: 11×03
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Satono Aladdin (JPN)
- Dam: Dancing Embers (NZ)
+1300
20. Galeron (4)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Alysha Collett
- W: 50kg
- F: 32665
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Camacho (GB)
- Dam: Society Gal (IRE)
+5000
21. Floating (1E) (20)
- T: Matthew Smith
- J: Reece Jones
- W: 50kg
- F: 159×4
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Puissance de Lune (IRE)
- Dam: Goujon
+5000
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