The Group One Toorak Handicap will round out a big day of racing at Caulfield on Saturday and we’ve been left with a field of twelve runners after the early scratching of Pericles. Run over the mile, the time honoured feature was first contested in 1881 and is typically a very open affair.
This year will be no different, whilst the up and coming Another Wil currently heads the betting, several other runners continue to firm and I wouldn't be surprise to see a blanket finish.
For our thoughts on every horse, you can find our race preview below. (Prices current at time of publish)
1. Desert Lightning (11)
Price: $6.50
Desert Lightning comes here in top order after saluting in the Sandown Stakes at just his third Australian start.
The former Kiwi was transferred under the care of Peter Moody and Kath Coleman following his run in The All-Star Mile and the five year old kicked off his Spring Campaign with a very encouraging run in the Listed Chautaqua, before proving superior when stepping out to 1500m last start.
A group one winner in his homeland, having won the TAB Classic late last year, he's proven himself a class galloper and his best performances have been over the mile.
He does however, have the task ahead with the topweight of 57kgs and the wide draw.
2. Pericles (SCR)
3. Antino (8)
Price: $4.80
Antino has been solid in all three runs this campaign and he's sure to make his presence felt.
The Queensland visitor resumed with a very encouraging performance over 1400m in the Memsie Stakes and his past two outings over the mile have seen him finish third behind Pride of Jenni and Mr Brightside under weight for age conditions.
He was only beaten by the barest of margins in last year's edition of this race and looks a strong chance to go one better this year.
4. Another Wil (1)
Price: $3.00
Another Wil continues to perform well and will start the favourite in this year's edition of the Toorak Handicap as he looks for his first Group One victory on the back of successive wins.
The son of Street Boss has now recorded seven wins from just ten career starts and has only missed the place on one occasion which was in the Doncaster Mile.
An impressive winner of the Doncaster Prelude, it probably all came too soon for the gelding but he looks to have come back bigger and better this time in.
He lines up here at peak fitness, he's unbeaten in three appearances at Caulfield and the inside draw can see him settle within striking distance.
5. Light Infantry Man (5)Price: $61.00
Light Infantry Man just held his ground to the line when resuming in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes and will appreciate getting out to the mile.
The Ciaron Maher trained gelding was having just his fifth start on Australian soil as he failed to figure in four earlier attempts.
A winner at his first two outings, the former UK galloper has continued to perform well at a high level and if he can recapture his best form, he's sure to be competitive.
6. Orchestral (6)
Price: $10.00
Orchestral returns to Australia.
The star Kiwi mare was quick to make an impression when she crossed the ditch in the Autumn, proving too good in the Vinery Stud Stakes before a solid effort to finish third in the Australian Oaks.
A dual group one winner, she's now won six from eleven and whilst her biggest victors have been over the longer trips, she's unbeaten in two starts over the mile.
She kicked off her preparation in a 1400m Handicap at Ellerslie where she lumped 60.5kgs and is sure to improve.
She drops 6.5kgs, has won two from two second up and from the good gate, I think she'll be right in this
7. Alsephina (10)Price: $11.00
Alsephina lines up full of confidence after a determined win in the Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes.
Despite being held up for much off the straight she sprinted strongly once clear to score.
The WA trained mare boasts a terrific record, a multiple stakeswinner, she was unlucky in three of her four runs last prep and was beaten only a length as runner up in the Group One Railway Stakes.
She's brilliant over the mile and with luck from the draw, she'll be right in this
8. Bank Maur (4)Price: $67.00
Bank Maur was well beaten in the heavy conditions when contesting the Tontonan Stakes at his second up outing but bounced back with a solid effort to finish fourth in the Sandown Stakes.
It's been a long time between drinks for the son of Maurice, who last found the winners stall in March 2023 year when he took out the Alister Clark Stakes.
He's a hard horse to follow as he does mix his form and whilst he is talented, I can't see him threatening here.
9. Craig (12)Price: $9.00
Craig is a very smart horse on the rise and will step out at the elite level for the first time.
Only lightly raced, having had the seven career starts, he just had the one run at Newmarket before making his way down under and was quick to make an impression as he recorded a dominant first up win over 1400m at Bendigo.
He's since added another two wins to his tally and is yet to finish out of the placings.
He has been unlucky on a few occasions including last start in the Sandown Stakes where he powered home from the tail to claim second.
The wide gate will see him get back and he's sure to be charging home late.
10. Jimmy The Bear (7)
Price: $31.00
Jimmy The Bear has been racing well and presents here hard fit.
The Jimmy Creed gelding powered home from the back over 1700m here in the Heatherlie two runs back and last time, down to 1400m, he worked home nicely into fourth behind Another Wil.
Whilst he is a very handy galloper on his day, I don't think he's quite up to this class.
11. Magnaspin (2)Price: $51.00
Magnaspin was strong through the line when resuming in the Sandown Stakes and he'll appreciate the slight rise in trip.
It was a deserved Group Three placing for the five year old son of Magnus who has proven himself a very honest competitor and is never far away.
He has worked his way through the grades and recorded his biggest win last preparation when taking out the $500k The Coast at Newcastle but is yet to step out at this level.
He does race well over the mile and will be afforded a cosy run throughout from gate 2 but may find this a bit tough.
12. Osipenko (3)
Price: $12.00
Osipenko hasn't been far away in two runs back this time in and presents here at peak fitness.
The Chris Waller trained gelding was doing his best work late off a wide run when resuming in the Theo Marks Stakes and hit the line strongly again last time in the Shannon Stakes.
Whilst he hasn't won for some time, he is certainly capable and he has performed well at Group One level on several occasions.
His two runs back suggest he's on track and he's drawn to receive chance under Damian Lane.
13. Wishlor Lass ()Price: $21.00
Wishlor Lass resumed with a very encouraging effort behind Another Wil in the Testa Rossa Stakes and is sure to improve second up.
Having had just the twelve starts, the mare put the writing on the wall early on, winning her first three starts, before returning in her following campaign to put together another three in succession which included the Ladies' Day Vase and Tesio Stakes.
She just had the two runs earlier this year where things didn't go to plan but looks to have come in top order and I wouldn't be discounting her.
Selections:
1st – Antino
2nd – Another Wil
3rd – Osipenko
4th – Orchestral
