Epsom Handicap 2015 race preview

01 October 2015 16:11 PM

The Group 1 Epsom Handicap is the feature race at Randwick on Saturday. The 1600m race has $1 million in prize money on offer for connections this year. The track condition was a Soft 5 at 8.19 am Thursday morning. With mostly sunny weather ahead expect it to improve by race day.

Expect Winx to get back from barrier 13. Pace looks to be there in the race which should suit her moves from the back of the pack. Big wrap on her last run after finding trouble and finishing strongly. Will appreciate the extra trip. The one to beat.

Sadlers Lake looks to make it three wins from three starts this preparation here. Mixed it well in Group 1 company during the winter. This isn't the strongest Group 1 field we've seen so expect him to be competitive.

Connections of Lucia Valentina will be praying for rain between now and race day. She's not hopeless on a dry track. Her two runs this preparation have looked like she is working nicely towards peak fitness. Will she get conditions to suit here?

Silverball has some claims in the race with his last two runs both reasonable efforts.

Third half a length to Fawkner from Entirely Platinum is strong form for this race even though he got some favours from the tempo up front. Run before that was strong second behind Boban. Should be able to get across from barrier 14 with Tommy Berry onboard. Strong claims.

Best of the others is Messene. He loves the 1600m and proved competitive against the likes of Winx over shorter distances. Early speed and draw should see him get a nice position in the running.

I am putting Winx on top to win but will also be backing Messene here currently showing $21 on fixed odds markets. Winx is definitely the smarter of the two but if the track dries and pace is not true Messene could definitely cause some problems up front. Sadlers Lake in for third.

Mike Steward