A relatively small field has been assembled for the Toorak Handicap (1600m) this Saturday at Caulfield.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Toorak Handicap.
2025 Toorak Handicap Runner Preview:
1. Desert Lightning: Back to the mile suits from the 1800m of the Underwood. But topweight in a Group 1 for him? He seems weighted right to his best, maybe more. Not for me.
2. Pinstriped: He wasn’t too bad in the Sir Rupert Clarke when off speed and kept finding the line in a pretty good effort in defeat. Maps to do no work, 1600m is fine…he seems a touch of overs.
3. Evaporate: I thought he was very good in the Sandown Stakes. There to be beaten but he found under pressure to fend them off. Good racing style and has upside to come.
4. Feroce: Feroce comes through the Sir Rupert Clarke from three weeks back. He got into a ripping spot in transit and loomed to win when presented but second up, 1100m to 1400m, he just couldn’t quite get there. He has that 1400m run under the belt, which holds him in good stead.
5. Sepals: Got the 12/10 from Williams and that was the difference between winning and losing. Not sold on him running a strong 1600m and is there petrol left in the tank? IMO, he’s a false favourite.
6. Transatlantic: Had his chance to beat Evaporate at Sandown I thought and once again, T Gollan away from Brisbane…pen job.
7. Lazzura: Lazzura commands respect for Chris Waller after her Let’s Elope triumph. She was there to be beaten after getting the beaut run in transit but credit to her, she fended them off and was too good in the run to the line. Hard fit, in form, genuine, hard to beat.
8. Willydoit: SCR
9. Leica Lucy: Leica Lucy should love the rise to the mile and you had to like her return in the Let’s Elope. She got back to near last in the run but loved the way she closed off in the straight when a close up fourth. Empire Rose maybe for her? Matriarch? Not sure, but either way, she’s come back super and is a key chance.
10. Damask Rose: Too far back and wide in the Sir Rupert Clarke but wasn’t too bad late. If she can use the gate and settle much closer in the run, she’s dangerous at a price.
11. Athanatos: I think the value lies with Athanatos. He wasn’t far off Transatlantic and Rise At Dawn at Sandown in what was a race that smashed the clock. He was forced right up nearer the inside, which wasn’t the spot to be. I like Stacky as a rider but it’s a big upgrade with Craig Williams taking over, 1600m ideal, near the minimum…I think he’ll run a beauty.
2025 Toorak Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win / $40 Place Athanatos and Lazzura
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $1200
Group 1 Strategy Return: $805
Toorak Handicap Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 7 | 59kg |
| 2 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Jamie Mott | 2 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | EVAPORATE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 6 | 58kg |
| 4 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 8 | 58kg |
| 5 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Ethan Brown | 4 | 57kg |
| 6 | TRANSATLANTIC | Tony Gollan | Mark Zahra | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | LAZZURA | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 | 56kg |
| 9 | LEICA LUCY (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 10 | 54.5kg |
| 10 | DAMASK ROSE (NZ) | Mark Walker | Ms Jamie Melham | 3 | 54kg |
| 11 | ATHANATOS | Phillip Stokes | Craig Williams | 1 | 52kg |
Toorak Handicap Odds
2025 Toorak Handicap Speed Map
Not much early speed here but suspect that Transatlantic can come across and lead, with Feroce not far away, likewise Evaporate. Athanatos should hold a forward spot from the inside gate. Pinstriped and Lazzura will be handy from their respective gates.
