The Epsom Handicap meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (5th Oct). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with light showers in Sydney over the next couple of days, Randwick will border on Good/Slow condition on raceday.
Giga Kick made his race return from a year off the scene when he ran 5th in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 7, finishing three-lengths off the winner I Am Me and he could return to the winners’ circle by taking out the Premiere Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1200m). The gelding turned in an eye-catching barrier trial at Canterbury last Tuesday as part of his preparation towards his second-up run. He will be fitter on Saturday and stepping up in distance will also suit. Giga Kick will be settling somewhere mid-field and he will fly down the Randwick straight.
The Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf has returned in terrific order and he looks the testing material in the Epsom Handicap (Sydney Race 9, 1600m). The 4YO was a convincing winner over 1500m at Rosehill second-up this campaign before running a solid 2nd to in-form import Eliyass in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes last start. The stable has reported that the gelding is fit and well and coming back to the mile should have no problem. Chad Schofield has picked up the ride and he is likely to settle back in the field from the wide gate. Watch Ceolwulf runs over the top of this field.
By Owens Wong
