Walter Expecting Luck In Running To Play Key Role In Epsom Handicap

Trainer Guy Walter has two of the favourites in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick this afternoon and is expecting luck in running to play a key role in deciding the outcome of the race.

Streama will be the first horse to win the George Main Stakes/Epsom Handicap double since Racing To Win in 2008 if she is successful today.

Streama will be the first horse to win the George Main Stakes/Epsom Handicap double since Racing To Win in 2008 if she is successful today. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Streama and Toydini have been well backed to give Walter his first ever win in the time-honored race but the veteran trainer admits that both his charges will need some luck after drawing barriers 12 and 14 respectively.

Streama is heading into the Epsom Handicap on the back off a very strong win in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago and Walter told Sky Racing HQ that she will tough to beat if she can replicate that performance this afternoon.

“It was a great win last start and she is obviously very fit and racing very well,” Walter said.

“The biggest concern is that she has been up a fair while and I am asking her for one more big effort.

“She is a big-time performer, a great competitor and she needs a bit of luck from that gate but if she gets it she will be hard to beat.”

Toydini is coming off the most impressive victory of his career, carrying 58kg to win the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle just over a fortnight ago, and receives a great deal of weight relief in the Epsom Handicap this afternoon.

Walter is confident that the Bernardini gelding is still on the way up and is expecting him to run well, with a bit of luck, this afternoon.

“This is what we planned to do, run him in this race at his third run back, because he is better on the fresh side,” Walter said.

“It was a very good win last start and like her he is dropping in weight.

“He is a young horse on the way up and he has brought his form from the autumn here.

“As always luck in running will play a big part and he will need that from fourteen.

“If he gets it I can see him running well.”

Toydini ($5) is currently a narrow favourite from Streama ($6.50) in Epsom Handicap betting markets, while Gai Waterhouse-trained Ecuador ($6.50) has been the best backed runner in the race.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.