The barrier draw for the 2019 Group 1 $1m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday has forced changes in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Kolding, above, is the favourite for the 2019 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Godolphin’s European import Cascadian drew in close at barrier two and has firmed in the betting from $11 to $9.50 while Kiwi sprinter-miler Te Akau Shark drifted out a $1 from $6 to $7 after drawing gate sixteen in the in the capacity twenty horse Epsom Handicap field.
The Chris Waller trained Kolding has remained solid as the $6 favourite after drawing barrier thirteen while the top weight Dreamforce is still well in contention at $6.50 even though he drew the outside gate.
Irish apprentice Robbie Dolan will be having his first ride on the James Cummings trained Cascadian and the young hoop remains unfazed heading towards one of the toughest assignments in his short career.
“I don’t really get nervous. You just have to take every day as it comes and if you get nervous you are more likely to make mistakes,” Dolan said.
“I am very privileged to be in the situation I am in and hopefully everything goes to plan.”
Dolan feels that Cascadian is ready to peak at his third run this preparation stepping up the 1600m of the Epsom Handicap after making up plenty of ground from the back last start when fourth to Kolding in the Group 3 $160,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on September 21.
“He has run in a mile Group 1 at Deauville (in France) before, he ran second and I sure he is going to be in great order,” Dolan said.
“His last run was terrific. He got a long way back over the 1400m and was hitting the line strong so I think up to the mile now third up and Mister Cummings and his team will have him spot on.”
Trainer John Thompson is also expecting his Epsom Handicap runner Dreamforce to peak third up even though he will be jumping from the outside gate as well as being asked to carry the top weight of 57kg.
“He is the sort of horse who goes forward and is most consistent,” Thompson told AAP.
“He is going as well as he ever has and the plan has been for him to peak at the third start of his campaign.”
Dreamforce heads to the Epsom Handicap in great form after a first up win in the Group 2 $200,000 Harvey Norman Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 7 followed by a second to Avilius in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21.
Nash Rawiller sticks with Dreamforce while James McDonald has retained the ride on Te Akau Shark who finished second to Dreamforce in the Tramway Stakes.
Betting for the 2019 Epsom Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6 Kolding, $6.50 Dreamforce, Rock, $7 Te Akau Shark, $9.50 Cascadian, $11 Gem Song, $16 Star Of The Seas, $17 Best Of Days, $21 Junipal, $26 Unforgotten, Nettoyer, $31 El Dorado Dreaming, Fifty Stars, $34 Desert Lord, $51 Mantastic, Kaonic, $67 Mr Marathon Man, Achedemus, $101 The Candy Man, Le Juge.
