Epsom Handicap attracts full field of 18

The Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) has attracted a massive field of 18 to contest the A$1.5 million prize packet on offer this Saturday at Randwick in Sydney, Australia.

After the late withdrawal of Pericles due to blood in the nostril, it’s now the Kerry Parker-trained mare Hope In Your Heart that holds the call at +550 with online betting sites, leaving punters with a wide-open edition of the Epsom Handicap.

She comes out of the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) along with a stack of other chances, including My Oberon (+1400), Going Global (+2200) and Communist (+3300).

The Chris Waller-trained pair of Rediener (+1000) and Democracy Manifest (+1100) both earned low weights courtesy of their wins in the traditional lead-up races.

Rediener took out the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) first-up, while Democracy Manifest produced a stunning effort in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.

Golden Mile (+1400) brings the other key form reference into Saturday, with the Godolphin colt proving too strong in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on September 9.

Most of the field come through that race, with The Inevitable (+1000), Waterford (+1400), Nugget (+1100) and Kovalica (+900) all looking to gain the upper hand after just missing out last start.

Two Victoria-trained gallopers head to Sydney to stake their claims as well, with Jamie Kah taking the reins aboard Pounding (+1800) after a terrific effort in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

Meanwhile, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace camp has sent up Duke De Sessa (+4000) for the first time since a bold display in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in the autumn.

The chances don’t end there in what’s sure to be a mouthwatering edition of the 2023 Epsom Handicap.