Royal Descent is currently available at 2014 Epsom Handicap odds of $4.40 and is a clear favourite to return to winning form in the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Royal Descent is currently favourite in 2014 Epsom Handicap betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Royal Descent has not recorded a race win since she took out the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m), but has finished second in all three starts this preparation including the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and punters are confident the Redoute’s Choice mare can end her losing streak; with the five-year-old backed into $4.40 after opening at $4.80 in Epsom Handicap betting markets.
Trainer Chris Waller has always had a soft spot for Royal Descent and he believes that the talented mare will prove very difficult to beat in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
“You can’t underestimate the weight that she has got because if she was a male she would have 57 and a half,” Waller said.
“It is a big weight, but she is at the top of her game and she is going to be very hard to beat.
“Her work has been super and you don’t worry too much about barriers when you have Hugh on board.”
He’s Your Man and Toydini are currently on the second line of Epsom Handicap betting and both have remained steady at a quote of $6 since the Epsom Handicap field was released yesterday morning.
Toydini was far from disgraced when eighth in the George Main Stakes and finished third in the Epsom Handicap last year, while He’s Your Man will be taking a different path into the Group 1 event after taking out the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at his last start.
“The race might be too short for him and if it is he will win next start,” Waller said of He’s Your Man.
“I couldn’t be happier with him, but it is hard to get a line on these horses when you are dropping them back from 2000 and them over shorter distances.
“You can’t panic and give them too much work.”
Boban recorded his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Epsom Handicap last year, but he has been friendless in betting and is out to a quote of $7 to become the first horse since Desert War to win the race in back-to-back-years.
The clear market mover in 2014 Epsom Handicap betting markets has been Joe Pride-trained Laser Hawk, who returned to a semblance of his best form with a brave third in the George Main Stakes.
Laser Hawk was available at odds of up to $67 to win the Epsom Handicap this time last week, but has been the best backed runner in the past 24 hours and is now into a quote of $9 to record his first Group 1 victory since he took out the 2012 edition of the Rosehill Guineas.
Star Rolling ($15 into $13) and Hooked ($17 into $15) have also been well supported in the Epsom Handicap betting market with Ladbrokes Australia, while Pheidon ($41 out to $51) and Jetset Lad ($67 out to $81) have been on the drift.
