Champion Mare and favourite More Joyous is looking to secure her second Toorak Handicap after having taken out the 2009 edition. Carrying 60kgs, she’ll be giving a majority of the field a significant advantage at the weights but having won her last six and three of them at Group One level, rightly so.
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1. MORE JOYOUS
Unbelievable mare who has won 21 of her 28 starts – including eight at Group One level. She’s unbeaten this prep with effortless victories in the Listed Sheraco and G3 Golden Pendant by 1 ½ and 2 ½ respectively. Three from three this course and the one they have to beat.
Odds: $2.25
2. KING MUFHASA
A grand Kiwi campaigner who won this race last with a tough on pace effort beating King’s Rose. He has followed exactly the same preparation this year, tackling this race third up after winning the G1 Windsor Plate in New Zealand at this last start (last year he ran second). Draw to lead and will give them plenty to catch.
Odds: $8.50
3. GLASS HARMONIUM
He was fantastic first up off a seventh month break when running fourth in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) a fortnight ago. Has been very competitive second up in the past including a third in the G1 Doomben Cup (1800m) and a fourth in an Underwood Stakes. Awkward draw sees him doing a little bit of work early if he is to take up his customary role on the speed but not to be underestimated.
Odds: $9.00
4. YOSEI
Form probably reads better than it appears on paper for her last two starts. Got too far back in slowly run G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and then missed the start before making good ground late in the Epsom (1600m) last week – finishing 5 lengths off the winner. But fact remains she hasn’t visited the winner’s stall in her past thirteen runs and will be giving most of these a start as they turn for home.
Odds: $13.00
5. STEPS IN TIME
Lightly raced but smart mare from the John O’Shea stable who pinched victory with a bold front running display, in the Bill Ritchie (1400m) at her most recent start. Likes to lead but she’ll be kept honest if she does and the fact that she’s tackling the mile for the first time, think she’ll have the job in front of her.
Odds: $17.00
6. ILLO
Former import who has been Group 2 and Group 3 placed in nine Australia starts but his most recent efforts, are not encouraging for this. He ran twelfth first up in a Stakes race (1400m) at Flemington and twelfth again at his last start behind Ocean Park in the Underwood Stakes. Drops nicely in weight but that’ll be the only plus you could find for him.
Odds: $51.00
7. SOLZHENITSYN
Had his chance last start in the G1 Sir Rupert Clark (1400m) when running 2 ¾ length third behind Moment Of Change. That was his second up run this prep and first for three weeks so would expect hhim to improve a little here. Drawn to get a nice run throughout and should be counted among the leading chances.
Odds: $4.60
8. SPIRIT SONG
Consistent mare from the Aaron Purcell stable who chased home the unbeaten and smart Callanish last start here at Caulfield a fortnight ago. That followed another second placing behind Oasis Bloom in the G2 W H Stocks at Moonee Valley. Will try her best but that might not be enough here.
Odds: $13.00
9. TOKUGAWA
Choisir gelding that has won four of his last nine starts – the latest of which was a convincing 3 ¼ win in an Open Class race at Moonee Valley. Start prior he was eighth of twelve in the Dato Tan Stakes behind Happy Trials under WFA conditions. Plenty of raw ability and might be one to watch finishing well late.
Odds: $15.00
10. ULUNDI
He finished last in the JRA Cup (2040m) at his most recent start and midfield behind Precedence at the start prior. Has had three runs in this time in but on those efforts, can’t see him figuring in the finish here.
Odds: $251.00
OVERVIEW
King Mufhasa leads with Steps In Time second. Glass Harmonium to cross from his wide gate and Solzenitsyn handy. More Joyous’ three victories here have been in races of greater depth than this one and she carried 58, 57 and 58.5 on those occasions so not that perturbed by the 60kg. Solzhenitsyn gets a lovely cart behind them and wouldn’t have to have come on much from her last start to be right in the mix here. King Mufhasa for third and will be including Tokugawa for a place. Think he’ll enjoy the tempo and has the ability to be finishing well.
