The Epsom Handicap meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (30th Sept). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi can turn the table on Tiz Invincible in the Flight Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 1600m). After a sizzling first-up run when 3rd in the Silver Shadow Stakes, the filly followed that up by a good 2nd to the form horse Tiz Invincible in the Furious Stakes. And she finished another good 2nd at this track last start in the Tea Rose Stakes. Stepping up to 1600m would suit her even better and so would the dry track. Jason Collett will go forward and sit one off one back in a stalking position and Kimochi will be ready to pounce rounding the home turn.
Hope In Your Heart has a great mile record and she could well be the one to beat in the Epsom Handicap (Sydney Race 8, 1600m). After taking out the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes in the autumn, this Kerry Parker trained 5YO flew home from last to finish just behind the placegetters in the Doncaster Mile before being runner-up to Atishu in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). The Dundeel mare returned in fine fashion with a close 3rd to Pericles in the Tramway Stakes and she loves Randwick with two victories and two placings at the venue. Parker decides to add blinkers to her gear in the Epsom and that could really help her at a crucial stage. Craig Williams will park just behind mid-field and Hope In Your Heart will run over the top of this field.
Just Fine has been unbeaten winning two from two since arriving in Australia (Sydney Race 9, 2400m). On his first local start, this Sea The Stars gelding showed a good turn-of-foot after being taken on at the lead over the mile before again displayed good acceleration in the Kingston Town Stakes beating the in-form Benaud. The 6YO is unbeaten at Randwick winning two from two and he has managed to beat the handicapper with only 50kg on his back. Beautifully drawn in barrier 2, Rachel King will put Just Fine to sleep just behind the leaders on the fence. Just Fine is very much in form and together with his light weight, he looks hard to beat.
By Owens Wong
