Toorak Handicap

The 2017 Toorak Handicap is a Group 1 race that is held each year at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. Part of the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Toorak Handicap is an open handicap race that takes place in October. Run over a distance of 1,600 metres, the Toorak Handicap is worth $500,000 in prize money. The race is held on Guineas Day along with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, Group 1 Thousand Guineas and the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes. Guineas Day is the first of a three-day long carnival at Caulfield Racecourse.

The Toorak Handicap was first held in 1881 when it was won by a horse named Josephine. In 1891 the race was run over a distance of 9 furlongs, or 1,800 metres, for one year only. The Toorak Handicap kept its original name until 1981 when it was changed to The IXL. From 1985 until 1989 the race was known as The Elders Mile until its name reverted back to Toorak Handicap in 1990. The Toorak Handicap has experienced two dead heats during its running. The first took place in 1935 when both Epigram and Journal won the race, while the second happened just three years later in 1938 when El Golea and Ena passed the post together.

Horses that compete in the Toorak Handicap often come via the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes that takes place three weeks beforehand. Regal Roller (2004) and Barely A Moment (2005) have both taken out the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Toorak Handicap double.  Horses that perform well in the Toorak Handicap may go on to compete in Group 1 Emirates Stakes or the Group 1 Myer Classic later in the spring carnival.

Notable winners of the Toorak Handicap include The Trump (1937), Royal Gem (1946), Galilee (1966), Tobin Breeze (1967), Gunsynd (1971), Leilani (1974), Show A Heart (2001) and More Joyous (2010).

2018 Toorak Handicaps Results

  • 1st: #5 Land of Plenty
  • 2nd: #1 Hartnell
  • 3rd: #11 Siege of Quebec

2018 Toorak Handicap Field

The Toorak Handicap field usually attracts some fairly decent handicappers. Those horses which seek entry into the Toorak Handicap field are already well-known milers with a few black-type victories already under their belt.

The 2018 Toorak Handicap field is published here.


The Toorak Handicap nominations tend to draw a fair number of renowned runners each year. Analysing the Toorak Handicap nominations, it becomes quickly apparent that some of Australia’s top horses target this event.2017 Toorak Handicap Nominations

The 2017 Toorak Handicap nominations are seen below.

Past Winners & Results

Below you will find a list of Toorak Handicap results and winning times since the year 2000.

Year Results Winning Time
2016 1 He’s Our Rokkii 2 Great Esteem 3 Tivaci 1:36.1
2015 1 Lucky Hussler 2 Disposition 3 Stratum Star 1:34.5
2014 1 Trust In A Gust 2 Speediness 3 Desert Jeuney 1:35.2
2013 1 Solzhenitsyn 2 Trevieres 3 Blackie 1:36.4
2012 1 Solzhenitsyn 2 Spirit Song 3 Yosei 1:35.3
2011 1 King Mufhasa 2 King’s Rose 3 Luen Yat Forever 1:36.3
2010 1 More Joyous 2 We’re Gonna Rock 3 Poor Judge 1:36.4
2009 1 Allez Wonder 2 Gold Salute 3 Rock Kingdom 1:35.0
2008 1 Alamosa 2 Rockwood 3 Pillar of Hercules 1:36.9
2007 1 Divine Madonna 2 Niconero 3 Wonderful World 1.37.3
2006 1 Red Dazzler 2 Rewaaya 3 Niconero 1.37.5
2005 1 Barely A Moment 2 Super Kid 3 Calveen 1.37.9
2004 1 Regal Roller 2 Osca Warrior 3 Infinite Grace 1.37.4
2003 1 Roman Arch 2 Fields Of Omagh 3 Umrum 1.36.0
2002 1 Shot Of Thunder 2 Umrum 3 Pernod 1.36.1
2001 1 Show A Heart 2 La Zagaletta 3 Shot Of Thunder 1.35.8
2000 1 Umrum 2 Go Flash Go 3 Crawl 1.36.4

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