A total of 96 milers have been included in 2015 Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) nominations; set to be run at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 2nd.
Contributer has been included in 2015 Epsom Handicap nominations. Photo: Steve Hart
Trainer Chris Waller has saddled Boban (2013) and He’s Your Man (2014) to success in the two most recent editions of the Epsom Handicap, and appears likely to again field a strong hand in the feature race this year after including a total of fourteen of his stable stars in nominations, including Catkins, Kermadec and Royal Descent.
A strong and consistent performer for Waller since first appearing on course competitively in early 2012, Catkins has finished outside the first three only a handful of times in 34 career starts; posting fifteen wins and a further 13 minors through 34 appearances.
Unlucky yet to break through for a maiden win at the highest level, the Dubawi mare returned this year for consecutive wins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) and Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m); running second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) before returning to the winner’s circle in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m).
Returning for a brief freshen up after placing second in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m), Catkins placed second in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) before failing to match the late pace and sixth in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) last time out on June 20th.
A similarly consistent performer for Waller through autumn, Kermadec boxed on for a credible fourth in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) first-up but arguably stamped himself as one to watch when third amongst talented company in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) on February 21st.
Unlucky to be blocked for a run and fourth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) a fortnight later, the Teofilo colt placed third amongst open company in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before mustering a monumental turn of foot to take out the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Day 1 of The Championships.
Having placed fifth in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) first-up on Saturday, Kermadec appears primed for a standout 2015 Spring Carnival campaign.
Unlucky not to return to the winner’s circle through the 2014 Spring Carnival, Royal Descent finished second in each of the Warwick Stakes, Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and the Epsom Handicap.
Having continued to impress through the recent Autumn Carnival, highlighted by third place finishes in the Doncaster Mile and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), the Redoute’s Choice mare returned over the weekend for a comfortable success in the Warwick Stakes.
Godolphin are spoiled for choice with their talent currently in work ahead of the Spring Carnival, and trainer John O’Shea has included eight in 2015 Epsom Handicap nominations including Contributer, Hartnell and Sweynesse.
Beginning his career in Britain under the guidance of Ed Dunlop, Contributer immediately had an impact upon debuting in Australia last spring when taking out the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) by a length.
Undefeated in three autumn starts, the High Chaparral entire won the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) first-up before taking out each of the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
Given little chance for success in his Australian debut; the Chipping Norton Stakes, Hartnell produced a particularly smart turn of foot to finish a close second to Contributer.
Progressing to success in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) on March 14th, the Authorized gelding claimed a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) before running fourth in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) last time out.
Sweynesse has not been seen at the races since failing to handle the heavy going in the Doncaster Mile, but has trialled competitively in the lead-up to his Spring Carnival return.
Having returned for second in the Hobartville Stakes, the Lonhro entire progressed to success in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) before running a credible fourth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
2015 Epsom Handicap Nominations
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6321515×35 | ADORABEEL (NZ) | M | 6 | Joseph Pride | 89 |
| 2 | x6745x458x | AKAVOROUN | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 97 |
| 3 | 1x3x1112x2 | ALPINE EAGLE | H | 4 | Tony McEvoy | – |
| 4 | x2123x621x | AMANPOUR | M | 5 | Gai Waterhouse | 109 |
| 5 | 21x94460x1 | AMICUS | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 100 |
| 6 | 080x5797x6 | AOMEN (IRE) | G | 8 | Anthony Cummings | 100 |
| 7 | x10x86690x | ARABIAN GOLD | M | 5 | Gai Waterhouse | 103 |
| 8 | 12124x621x | ATLANTIS DREAM (NZ) | M | 7 | Darren Weir | – |
| 9 | 1x120x | AZKADELLIA (NZ) | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher | – |
| 10 | 21x114817x | BALLET SUITE | M | 4 | Chris Waller | – |
| 11 | 1x2232111x | BERRY DELICIOUS | M | 4 | Jason Coyle | 90 |
| 12 | 383x8431x7 | BEST CASE (NZ) | G | 5 | Anthony Cummings | 91 |
| 13 | x240x708x6 | BETTER LAND | H | 4 | Peter G Moody | 67 |
| 14 | 59x970x12x | BOBAN | G | 6 | Chris Waller | – |
| 15 | 3x1121226x | CATKINS | M | 6 | Chris Waller | – |
| 16 | 122x96834x | CELTIC PRINCE (NZ) | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 93 |
| 17 | 2346x5120x | CHARLIE BOY | G | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | – |
| 18 | 31x18x111x | CONTRIBUTER (IRE) | H | 6 | John O’Shea | 116 |
| 19 | 563330×485 | DESERT JEUNEY | G | 6 | Nigel Blackiston | – |
| 20 | x43352x0x3 | DIBAYANI (IRE) | G | 6 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 21 | 111122x24x | DISPOSITION | G | 4 | Lee & Anthony Freedman | – |
| 22 | x114x2614x | ECUADOR (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse | 102 |
| 23 | 1828x2460x | ENTIRELY PLATINUM (NZ) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 102 |
| 24 | 248364209x | EXCITED PRINCE | G | 6 | Jason Coyle | 72 |
| 25 | x9x31932x5 | FAROLITOS | G | 4 | John O’Shea | 75 |
| 26 | 112x21226x | FIRST SEAL | M | 4 | John P Thompson | 107 |
| 27 | 2221x8060x | FIVEANDAHALFSTAR | G | 6 | Anthony Cummings | 108 |
| 28 | 241411x82x | FLAMINGO STAR (GER) | H | 6 | Chris Waller | – |
| 29 | 154313x11x | GOD’S IN HIM | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 79 |
| 30 | 11x9Px570x | GUEST OF HONOUR (IRE) | G | 7 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | 102 |
| 31 | 4x1141x9 | GUST OF WIND (NZ) | M | 4 | John Sargent | 100 |
| 32 | 0x3439138x | GYPSY DIAMOND | M | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | – |
| 33 | 1167x2114x | HARTNELL (GB) | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 115 |
| 34 | 11x60212x | HAURAKI | G | 4 | John O’Shea | 96 |
| 35 | 50x171117x | HAZARD | M | 6 | Lee & Anthony Freedman | – |
| 36 | x411111x8x | HE OR SHE | G | 5 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 37 | 3x14x2111x | HI WORLD | H | 4 | Peter G Moody | 89 |
| 38 | 319x313x12 | HIS MAJESTY (IRE) | G | 6 | Kim Waugh | 73 |
| 39 | 1315x4700x | HOOKED | H | 5 | John P Thompson | – |
| 40 | 73350x19x8 | IT’S SOMEWHAT (USA) | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 104 |
| 41 | 9x2240651x | JABALI | H | 4 | Mick Price | – |
| 42 | 521112789x | JACQUINOT BAY | G | 8 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 43 | 33×3312314 | KENJORWOOD | G | 6 | Peter G Moody | – |
| 44 | 21x43431x5 | KERMADEC (NZ) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 110 |
| 45 | 44117x28x | KING KINSHASA (GB) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse | 75 |
| 46 | 7x125236x3 | KINGDOMS (NZ) | G | 6 | Brian Smith | – |
| 47 | 211x6650x5 | KIRRAMOSA (NZ) | M | 5 | John Sargent | – |
| 48 | 84x630210x | LEEBAZ (NZ) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 49 | 16x811621x | LOVED UP | M | 4 | Brett Cavanough | 87 |
| 50 | 130x49376x | LUCIA VALENTINA (NZ) | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 109 |
| 51 | 32212x167x | LUCKY HUSSLER | G | 6 | Darren Weir | – |
| 52 | 5211x2677x | MALICE | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 96 |
| 53 | 31x7348x0x | MAY’S DREAM | M | 5 | Darren Weir | – |
| 54 | 117x299x53 | MESSENE | G | 7 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 108 |
| 55 | 34x127202x | NINTH LEGION | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 56 | x1324x113x | NOBLE PROTECTOR (GB) | M | 6 | Robert Smerdon | 105 |
| 57 | 087300×742 | PACIFIC HEIGHTS (IRE) | G | 7 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 58 | 611x290x38 | PETROLOGY | H | 4 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 59 | 1x951511x2 | PORNICHET (FR) | H | 5 | Gai Waterhouse | 112 |
| 60 | 1194x7x0 | PRESSING | H | 4 | Mick Price | 76 |
| 61 | 32174x | PUZZLING WONDER | H | 4 | Anthony Cummings | 65 |
| 62 | 3616x340x | REKINDLED POWER | H | 4 | Paul Messara | – |
| 63 | 011x59504x | RHYTHM TO SPARE (NZ) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 64 | 220x7433x1 | ROYAL DESCENT | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 116 |
| 65 | 11x28840x3 | RUDY | G | 5 | Helen Page | – |
| 66 | 511x42154x | SADLER’S LAKE | G | 4 | Chris Waller | – |
| 67 | x8x137423x | SAN DIEGO | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 89 |
| 68 | 42x | SAN TELMO | G | 5 | Anthony Cummings | – |
| 69 | 1122×2 | SARDAAJ (NZ) | M | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 70 | 6066×89444 | SCRATCH ME LUCKY | G | 4 | Paul Perry | 72 |
| 71 | 036x12212x | SENSE OF OCCASION | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | – |
| 72 | x0x21141x6 | SILVERBALL (FR) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 99 |
| 73 | 1x320x | SKYLIMIT | H | 4 | Gai Waterhouse | – |
| 74 | 38x141311x | SKYLINE BLUSH | M | 4 | Anthony Cummings | 76 |
| 75 | 161x33171x | SLIGHTLY SWEET | M | 4 | Jason Coyle | 89 |
| 76 | 417412311x | SONS OF JOHN | G | 5 | Jason Attard | 93 |
| 77 | 012x3549x5 | SPY DECODER (NZ) | G | 5 | Anthony Cummings | 82 |
| 78 | 321121x1x1 | START WONDERING (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 80 |
| 79 | 122x2332x7 | STRATUM STAR | H | 4 | Darren Weir | – |
| 80 | 1332x5611x | STRAWBERRY BOY | G | 7 | Chris Waller | – |
| 81 | 212x02349x | SUPARA | M | 4 | Gai Waterhouse | 79 |
| 82 | 1138x2240x | SWEYNESSE | H | 4 | John O’Shea | 101 |
| 83 | 51x2846x5 | SWORN TO SILENCE (NZ) | G | 4 | Bryce Heys | 68 |
| 84 | 31384x452x | SYSMO (FR) | G | 7 | Tony McEvoy | – |
| 85 | x17333115x | TASHBEEH | H | 4 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 86 | 5430x210x7 | TERONADO | G | 5 | Bruce W Hill | – |
| 87 | x421265x67 | TESTASHADOW | G | 4 | Gary Portelli | 77 |
| 88 | 113x6535x | THINKING OF YOU (NZ) | M | 4 | Peter G Moody | 75 |
| 89 | 21x2131x | TURN ME LOOSE (NZ) | H | 4 | Murray Baker | – |
| 90 | 4710320x2x | VELOX (GB) | G | 6 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 91 | 0x130082x2 | WEARY (FR) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 107 |
| 92 | 2x62627x33 | WINE TALES | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 86 |
| 93 | 2x7515211x | WINX | M | 4 | Chris Waller | – |
| 94 | 36211375×1 | WORTHY CAUSE | H | 4 | John Zielke | – |
| 95 | 16x12971x3 | YESTERDAY’S SONGS | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 96 | 63115734x | ZARZALI | M | 4 | Bart & James Cummings | – |
