A huge day of racing wraps up at Caulfield on Saturday with the Group 1 Toorak Handicap over the mile.
Simon Miller’s West Australian superstar Amelia’s Jewel has been installed as a short-priced favourite in search of her second Group 1, while Queenslander Antino also has claims with nine wins to his name from 11 starts.
It could turn out to be the race of the day, and we’ve got you covered with our top four selections below!
Toorak Handicap – Winner
Amelia’s Jewel was superb in the Stocks Stakes at The Valley a fortnight ago, stalking the speed in the early stages before exploding with a well-timed run to score by three-quarters of a length – setting a new track record in the process.
She’s facing a difficult assignment this time from an awkward alley, but other than that, I can’t find a reason why she won’t win.
Simon Miller’s mare gets in nice and light at the weights carrying just 56kg’s, and with improvement still to come, this looks the perfect hit-out for her with the Cox Plate in her sights.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Amelia’s Jewel
Toorak Handicap – 2nd
Just like the market suggests, Antino appears to be the main danger to the favourite Amelia’s Jewel.
This Queensland-based gelding is coming off a strong win in the Sandown Stakes a fortnight ago, a much-improved effort after narrowly being denied in a race he should have won at Flemington first-up.
This is tougher from a very tricky gate, but his strike rate, fitness, and racing style make him a nice bet to at least run a place.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Antino
Toorak Handicap – 3rd
Pride Of Jenni can run a nice race at odds.
She hasn’t won in quite some time, but she did give Amelia’s Jewel a genuine scare when leading for most of the way in the Stocks Stakes, only gunned down over the final 100m.
She’ll race straight to the front again from the soft draw and give her rivals something to catch.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Pride Of Jenni
Toorak Handicap – 4th
The Inevitable can be forgiven on his run in the Memsie last time out, caught wide at one point but still making up good ground to the line.
The old boy is unplaced in four starts at the top level, but he boasts a handy record over the mile with three wins and a couple of placings to his name.
Beaten less than a length by Mr Brightside in the All-Star Mile earlier in the year, I think he can run a cheeky race at odds.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 The Inevitable
