Another exciting edition of the time-honoured Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) is set for Royal Randwick this Saturday, and we have a capacity field vying for success in the prestigious mile classic.

2024 Epsom Handicap betting is narrowly led by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott import Royal Patronage. Photo: Steve Hart.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott‘s French-bred import Royal Patronage has retained top spot as the narrow favourite in Epsom Handicap betting at Ladbrokes despite suffering an early blow drawing out in gate 17.

The in-form galloper is third-up in Australia now and comes off some strong lead-up runs down under including a win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes first-up.

His latest run produced a close third at weight-fo-rage in the $1 million 7 Stakes at this course and distance behind Fangirl.

Tim Clark rides Saturday’s Epsom top fancy who comes back in weight from his lead-up run to 56kg and remains a genuine chance for favourite backers even from the challenging alley.

The powerhouse Waterhouse/Bott stable also saddle-up former ATC Derby champ Major Beel as a $12 fancy in the Epsom markets.

Major Beel is looking to improve on his fading fifth still only narrowly beaten in the 7 Stakes and with a more favourable weight on the weekend looks a potential place chance with Winona Costin in the saddle.

This year’s ATC Derby runner-up, the Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf, is among the other standout contenders rated $7 to win from barrier 14 with Chad Schofield riding.

He comes off a lead-up run in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m far from disgraced with Pride trying for a drop in distance now.

Five-time Epsom Handicap winning trainer Chris Waller launches a strong seven-horse assault on this year’s field led by Kovalica who is also at $7 for the win.

Champion jockey James McDonald rides chasing his second Epsom trophy with Kovalica having finished third in the Tramway last start.

Waller’s other 2024 Epsom contenders are Democracy Manifest, Chrysaor, recent Bill Ritchie winner McHale, the defending champion Rediener, Firestorm chasing his third win on the trot, and former Group 1 winning Kiwi expat Molly Bloom.

The 2023 Epsom champion, Rediener, looks attractive at his blowout price of $26 at time of publish to go back-to-back in Saturday’s feature.

Desert War in 2004 and 2005 was the last two-time Epsom champ on consecutive years.

Rediener is out to be the next off a resuming fourth in Rosehill’s Theo Marks and he will relish a return to the Randwick mile now.

The 2024 Epsom Handicap kicks off at 4:45 pm AEST on Saturday as Race 9 on the 10-race Randwick card.

With a wide-open Epsom Handicap field, a potential star in the making leading the markets from a wide draw, and a potential back-to-back champion at big odds, this year’s Epsom is not to miss!

2024 Epsom Handicap Field

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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