The market remains largely unchanged for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap after Tuesday’s barrier draw, setting up a tantalising Trans-Tasman clash.
Autumn Boy holds favouritism at $3.50 for the famous 1600m clash at Royal Randwick after drawing barrier one in a field of 19 with unbeaten New Zealand four-year-old mare Well Written on the second line of betting at $4.50 after drawing barrier three.
The only other horse in single figures is Attica at $7 for Joseph Pride who drew barrier six and will carry just 51.5kg under the handicap conditions, receiving a 4kg swing on Autumn Boy for a two-length deficit in the Randwick Guineas, filling the placings behind Sheza Alibi.
Attica is one of two horses for Joseph Pride who will also run topweight and 2024 Epsom Handicap winner Ceolwulf, rated an $11 chance with the prospect of 0-6mm of rain on Friday and 1-15mm on Saturday.
Chris Waller has won the Epsom Handicap six times and will be out to join Gai Waterhouse and her father T J Smith who hold the record with seven winners apiece in the race.
With two of the past three Epsom winners, Waller will saddle up seven of the 19 runners this year and assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth confirmed Autumn Boy would travel up from Melbourne after running second to Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington second up.
“He’s got a nice draw,” Duckworth said of barrier one.
“Obviously you’re sort of hoping you don’t draw 17,18,19 but you also sort of hope you’re not 1 either but look beggars can’t be choosers.
“The only horse that’s beaten him over a mile is Sheza Alibi and she’s a freak. He’s reasonably well-weighted and happy to have James (McDonald) back on.”
One of the firmers in the Epsom Handicap market has been Attica, into $7 and third pick for Joseph Pride, with Godolphin’s Racing And Bloodstock manager Jason Walsh saying this has been his target all campaign.
“This has been his early season target,” Walsh said.
“Joe’s done a beautiful job preparing him for it.
“Obviously in the Tramway we felt he was very good in a really hot edition of that race, so back to handicap conditions and we think he’s been allocated a weight that will see him very competitive.”
Godolphin will also be represented by Tom Kitten who ran second to Ceolwulf in 2024 with the three-time Group One winner drawing barrier four.
In the Group 1 Flight Stakes, also over a mile, seven fillies will line up with Striking Alibi (barrier 2) and Global Goal (barrier 5) joint favourites ahead of Bangkok Hottie (barrier 3) who defeated that pair in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) last time out.
