Group 1 racing returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday October 1st, with the running of the $1.5 million TAB Epsom Handicap.
The race will be contested under handicap conditions over 1600m, and has been classified as a G1 event since 1979.
The winning connections will take home $870,000, with Private Eye taking out last year's event. Other past winners include Winx and Super Impose.
The feature event on the stacked 10-race card at Randwick will be run at 4.05pm AEST.
Play Central, watch all 3 sky racing channels live on the TAB app.
TAB Epsom Handicap 2022 Field, Barriers and Betting Odds
| RUNNER (BARRIER) | JOCKEY | TRAINER | ODDS |
| 1. Top Ranked (3) | Hugh Bowman | Annabel Neasham | $4.20 |
| 3. Ellsberg (2) | Brenton Avdulla | G.Ryan/S.Alexiou | $19 |
| 4. Nimalee (9) | Regan Bayliss | Matthew Smith | $15 |
| 5. Icebath (6) | James McDonald | Brad Widdup | $3.60 |
| 6. Fangirl (4) | Tommy Berry | Chris Waller | $11 |
| 7. Kiku (10) | Jason Collett | Chris Waller | $23 |
| 8. Hinged (8) | Kerrin McEvoy | Chris Waller | $4.20 |
| 9. Cross Talk (5) | Rachel King | G.Waterhouse/A.Bott | $7.00 |
| 11. Pippali (7) | Kathy O'Hara | Jason Coyle | $81 |
| 12. War Eternal (1) | Jay Ford | Bjorn Baker | $34 |
TAB Epsom Handicap 2022 tips
Just for something new and unusual, there has been a fair amount of rain in Sydney in the days leading up to the Epsom Handicap raceday. At the time of writing, Randwick is rated a Soft 7 but this could certainly be downgraded before the race.
Still on the hunt for a breakthrough Group 1 triumph, Icebath ($3.60) opened as favourite and remains at the top of the market, which is no surprise given the weather and her record on rain-affected tracks. The six-year-old will also be boosted by James McDonald in the saddle and draws a nice gate. After finishing second in the G1 George Main Stakes and G2 Tramway Staes, Icebath should be fit and primed for a big run in the Epsom.
Not far behind in the market is Top Ranked ($4.20), who has one start this preparation with a convincing win in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap two weeks ago. This distance will suit seven-year-old runner, who has six wins and three placings from 13 outings over the mile.
Hinged ($4.20) has seen plenty of support in betting and sits on the second line of betting. Given her fantastic record on soft and heavy going, it is no surprise to see the Chris Waller-trained mare right in the mix. Third-up for this event and will be nearing her peak, and has a solid record from four starts over the mile.
Cross Talk ($7.00) is also at single-figure odds and looks a great chance considering his record on heavy tracks of four wins from five races. The five-year-old is drawn nicely but will need to lift to the quality of the other runners in the field if it is to be any chance.
Fangirl ($11) is another great chance and is a horse with a lot of upside. The four-year-old will be third-up for the Epsom and has won third-up earlier in her career, and is operating at just under 50 per cent win rate for her career. After a solid run in the G1 Winx Stakes, she fell behind in the G1 George Main a fortnight ago but should be ready to bounce back. With the reliable Tommy Berry in the saddle, there's a lot to like on Saturday.
Other runners in the race at bigger odds who could feature in the finish include Nimalee ($15) and Ellsberg ($19), who both have strong records on rain-affected tracks and are racing well.
FINAL TIP: Fangirl ($11w/$2.90p with TAB)
How to watch the TAB Epsom Handicap 2022
This year's TAB Epsom Handicap will be broadcast live on Sky Racing and Channel 7.
TAB Epsom Handicap 2022 tickets
To purchase tickets to this year's TAB Epsom Handicap raceday, click here.
