It’s ‘Super Saturday’ at Randwick on Saturday, with three Group l races on the card, one of those being the Epsom Handicap (1600m), which has attracted a field of 12.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Epsom Handicap.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Epsom Handicap
2022 Epsom Handicap Speed Map
Looks pretty straight forward here. Two speed runners are engaged, with Ellsberg drawing inside Cross Talk. Both love to dominate from the front, especially Ellsberg. So I think he will lead. Converge likes to get back in the run but from gate one, he can settle much, much closer.
2022 Epsom Handicap Runner Preview
1.Top Ranked: Top Ranked is a classy animal for Annabel Neasham that commands respect. Race was set up for him fresh in the Bill Ritchie but even allowing for that, he was dominant late. with class coming to the fore. The query being whether that run busts him. If he bounces off that, he’ll take beating.
2.Converge: He’s proven on wet ground but I do feel he is a much better horse on firmer footing. His chances are weather dependant. If the track is around Soft5/6, he is a knockout hope. Anything worse and I’d treat him as a scratching based on his two runs back, which have been poor.
3.Ellsberg: On the back up after racing last Saturday in the Shannon where he ran third after getting every chance in front. 1600m looks a bridge too far for him and he likely cops heat from Cross Talk. Happy to look elsewhere.
4.Nimalee: What a ripping mare she is. The positive ride from Bayliss won her the race last Saturday when taking out the Golden Pendant. Proven performer at the Randwick mile and she could potentially slot in just off the speed if they roll forward again. Hard to beat.
5.Icebath: Icebath is very much deserving of a blacktype win, especially a Group l win, and gee I think she gets her chance here. She has come back in super order. Last start, I thought they pulled the wrong rein by running in the George Main and not the Tibbie, but she ran out of her skin when second to Anamoe. Back to a handicap, 53.5kg…gee she looks so well placed, especially with a drop of rain.
6.Fangirl: She’s on track I feel. Looked like she was going to be right in the finish in the George Main but when Bowman asked for the effort, she just floundered late and ran out of puff. Looks to have been set for the race and how often do we see these Waller horses spike out of nowhere.
7.Kiku: Kiku is in the mix. Surprise winner of the Theo Marks three weeks back but I will say I think the win was lucky because there were a host of unlucky runners inside her, but she was out of trouble, had clear air and finished best. She did win the race and was first up, so she has improvement.
8.Hinged: She’s on track this girl. Definite pass mark in the Winx Stakes before going to the George Main where she was left flat footed when the sprint went on but picked up and was very good in defeat behind Anamoe. Primed for the Randwick mile, I think she’ll be around the mark.
9.Cross Talk: The last couple of runs, to me, have looked end of prep runs. But with the GaiBott team, something out of the box isn’t a totally stupid thought. He could easily win this without shocking, especially with the weight, or he could run last.
10.Character: Good third up record and has quality when right. Looked all over a winner of the Cameron at Newcastle last time but couldn’t quite finish it off. Couldn’t back him to win but a must for muitiples because he will be strong late.
11.Pippali: Ran well at a big price on the weekend in the Golden Pendant but this is a new level and I’d be stunned if she was able to measure up.
12.War Eternal: War Eternal is two weeks between runs for Bjorn Baker after racing at Randwick. He just got held up at a vital stage and was very good late when second to stablemate Ita. Hard fit now and with two strong efforts back from a spell, he’s a knockout chance against these.
2022 Epsom Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
Keeping it simple. Backing the best horse in the race, which is Icebath IMO. $100 win on her and hoping we can get $5.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $650
Group l Strategy Return: $375
2022 Epsom Handicap Odds
