Epsom Handicap 2024 Group 1 betting preview & tips | October 5

The Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) headlines the action at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a star-studded field of 20 set to battle it out for the $1.5 million prize. The Chris Waller barn will be represented with a strong hand once again, with seven runners engaged in this year’s edition, including Rediener looking for back-to-back wins in this race after securing victory 12 months ago. There are plenty of form-lines to dissect heading into the 2024 Epsom Handicap; will it be another low-weighted chance claiming victory? Or can something at the top of the weights stick on to secure Group 1 glory in one of the great Australian handicaps.

2024 Epsom Handicap odds

After a dominant Australian debut victory in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), Royal Patronage has been installed as the $5.50 favourite for the 2024 Epsom Handicap. Kovalica has been well-supported on the second line of betting at $7.00, while Ceolwulf ($7.50) has plenty of admirers dropping back in trip after suffering defeat at the hands of Eliyass in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m). Double-figure odds are available for every other runner, including the likes of Major Beel ($10.00), Tom Kitten ($13.00) and My Oberon ($16.00) all garnering some early support in betting.

2024 Epsom Handicap speed map

Punters can expect a genuine tempo in this year’s Epsom, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Major Beel likely to storm across to the lead from barrier nine. Stable companion Royal Patronage (17) will have no choice but to be ridden forward from the awkward draw, while Kovalica should get the back of the leading pair from stall one. Arctic Glamour (6), Chrysaor (5), Berkshire Shadow (8) and Kintyre (7) should be chasing from the mid-field pack, while the likes of Tom Kitten (19), My Oberon (21), and Ceolwulf (14) will be ridden quietly in search of cover in the early stages. With so many low-weighted chances, don’t be surprised if we see some mid-race moves, with some horses unlikely to gain cover in the 20-horse field.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Epsom Handicap.

Epsom Handicap 2024 preview & form

The 2024 Epsom is a wide-open edition, and punters should be willing to take on some of the well-supported runners with a couple at big odds with horse racing bookmakers.

Arctic Glamour gets the verdict as she heads into this on the one-week backup, closing gallantly on the worst part of the track in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday. She was excellent in the Tramway Stakes the start prior, and she gets in on the minimum of 50kg under handicap conditions. Gate six should allow Andrew Adkins to sit in the ultimate stalking position throughout the journey, and with the daughter of Frosted possessing a lethal turn-of-foot, Arctic Glamour warrants plenty of respect in the 2024 Epsom Handicap.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Nugget continues to get overlooked in these Group 1 handicaps, with the seven-year-old representing terrific value. The Siyouni gelding simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race, including a luckless effort in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at this course and distance in the autumn. He got a pass mark first-up in the Tramway Stakes heading into this, and although he isn’t as well-weighted against some key rivals, Nugget will give another bold showing amongst Group 1 company.

My Oberon needs to carry top-weight for a reason. He’s a proven weight-for-age galloper, only finding one better in the form of Fangirl in his most recent effort at this course and distance in the 7 Stakes (1600m) on September 21. Nash Rawiller will have it all to do from barrier 21; however, if My Oberon has any luck in transit, the double-figure odds available are simply too good to pass up.

Kovalica, Royal Patronage and Ceolwulf all have strong claims but have been well-found now. Let’s hope they’re only fighting for minor money in what appears to be an outstanding renewal of the Epsom Handicap.

Epsom Handicap 2024 selections & best bets

• 15
  

  ARCTIC GLAMOUR

• 8
  

  NUGGET

• 1
  

  MY OBERON

• 4
  

  KOVALICA

Epsom Handicap 2024 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)

+1500
+320

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)

+500
+130

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)

+1900
+375

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)

+650
+175

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

+3000
+525

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

+1400
+300

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)

+600
+150

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)

+2200
+425

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

+1400
+300

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)

+2200
+425

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)

+1400
+300

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)

+900
+210

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

+1400
+300

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)

+8000
+1275

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

+1900
+375

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

+1900
+350

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

+8000
+1300

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

+2200
+425

19. Firestorm (13)

• T: Chris Waller
• J: Mark Du Plessis
• W: 50kg
• F: 11×03
• Age: 4YO
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Satono Aladdin (JPN)
• Dam: Dancing Embers (NZ)

+5000
+850

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)

+9000
+1450

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

+4500
+800

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