Saturday’s eye-catching George Main Stakes runner-up behind Winx, Happy Clapper has been allocated 56.5kg in the official Epsom Handicap 2017 weights announced by Racing NSW today.
In-form Happy Clapper is allocated 56.5kg for the 2017 Epsom Handicap. Photo: Steve Hart.
There are 89 spring milers nominated for the Group 1 $1 million Epsom Handicap (1600m), one of three elite level features to run at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday September 30.
One of the best in pre-field Epsom Handicap betting through Ladbrokes.com.au after a stellar placing behind the country’s best mare Winx in last weekend’s Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) is the Patrick Webster-trained Happy Clapper.
The Teofilo seven-year-old earned an earlier Epsom Handicap ballot exemption for his first-up win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) carrying 57kg.
He then went out as the only perceivable “danger” to Winx in the George Main Stakes at weight-for-age and led down the straight before being run down by the star six-year-old.
Happy Clapper firmed into a $5.50 shot for the Epsom Handicap 2017 looking to improve on his devastatingly close fourth when only a half-length beaten by the winner Hauraki in the race last year.
The veteran’s form at the Randwick mile is outstanding, including back-to-back seconds in the 2016 and 2017 Doncaster Mile and he rises from 55kg in last year’s Epsom Handicap weights to 56.5kg this season.
There are three equal 58kg Epsom Handicap top weights for 2017 with the Darren Weir-trained duo of Black Heart Bart and Humidor, along with Kris Lees’ three-time Group 1 winner Le Romain.
All three, should they run in the Epsom Handicap field, will be out to break a hoodoo with no winner of the mile classic having carried more than 57kg to victory since Super Impose (61kg) for his second in 1991.
Lee Freedman’s champion also carted 58.5kg to victory in the 1990 Epsom Handicap results.
Black Heart Bart is a $21 chance for the win, the five-time Group 1 winning seven-year-old’s only previous Randwick run having been a second to English in the 2016 All Aged Stakes.
He has done the bulk of his racing in Melbourne and was last seen running third behind Humidor in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington over the weekend.
Upset Makybe Diva Stakes winner, Humidor was ultra-impressive defeating the odds-on favourite Hartnell but is at $21 for the Epsom Handicap as he is tipped to remain in Melbourne heading towards the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) over the mile and a half on October 21.
Le Romain also contested the Makybe Diva Stakes, but only managed to finish a disappointing second last (11th).
Sydney’s Chris Waller has dominated the Epsom Handicap results of late preparing three of the past four winners with: Boban (2013), He’s Your Man (2014) and Winx (2015).
Waller prepares the current $5 favourite for the win this spring in Egg Tart who has been allocated the 50.5kg minimum (for non-three-year-olds).
The dual Oaks winning daughter of Sebring stepped-out as a four-year-old for the first time on September 9 and finished second to Deploy in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
Waller’s other standout Epsom Handicap entries include Comin’ Through (50.5kg) who won the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last weekend on 53kg, runner-up in the same Epsom lead-up race Tom Melbourne (51.5kg), and George Main Stakes third placed Foxplay (54kg) who won the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at the track / distance during April.
Foxplay is the highest-weighted mare, while all six three-year-olds that remain in contention all have 48kg including the autumn’s ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Invader.
Other noteworthy Epsom Handicap hopefuls and their weights include Memsie Stakes winner Vega Magic (57kg), the winter’s Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion (56kg) and Lindsay Park’s Newmarket Handicap champion Redkirk Warrior (56kg) who won the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) down the Flemington straight last weekend.
Check out the full Epsom Handicap 2017 weights below before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au to back your favourites for the end-of-month feature at the right price.
2017 Epsom Handicap Weights
Royal Randwick Racecourse – 30/09/2017
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69x2125x12 | HAPPY CLAPPER | G | 7 | Patrick Webster | 1= | 56.5kg | 113 |
| 2 | 1111×21411 | DEPLOY | G | 5 | Gerald Ryan | 1= | 54kg | 108 |
| 3 | 21x5338x11 | COMIN’ THROUGH | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 1= | 50.5kg | 101 |
| 4 | 211x75x323 | BLACK HEART BART | G | 7 | Darren Weir | 4= | 58kg | 116 |
| 5 | x42212x681 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 4= | 58kg | 116 |
| 6 | x11202x250 | LE ROMAIN | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 4= | 58kg | 116 |
| 7 | x9171x1x11 | VEGA MAGIC | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 7 | 57kg | 114 |
| 8 | 5x21x105x1 | REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 8= | 56kg | 112 |
| 9 | x12x3361x8 | SENSE OF OCCASION | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 8= | 56kg | 112 |
| 10 | 4x24141x23 | FOXPLAY | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 8= | 54kg | 112 |
| 11 | 181x37x014 | GAILO CHOP (FR) | G | 7 | Darren Weir | 11= | 55kg | 110 |
| 12 | 09x4x22x53 | TOSEN STARDOM (JPN) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 11= | 55kg | 110 |
| 13 | 271183×477 | I AM A STAR (NZ) | M | 4 | Shane Nichols | 13= | 52kg | 108 |
| 14 | 1541112×13 | INVINCIBLE GEM | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 13= | 52kg | 108 |
| 15 | 0x2612x701 | ZANBAGH | M | 7 | John P Thompson | 13= | 52kg | 108 |
| 16 | x31196x140 | HEY DOC | G | 4 | Tony McEvoy | 16= | 53.5kg | 107 |
| 17 | 480×350112 | SOUND PROPOSITION (NZ) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 16= | 53.5kg | 107 |
| 18 | 670x910x56 | HEAVENS ABOVE | M | 6 | Tim Martin | 16= | 51.5kg | 107 |
| 19 | 113380×348 | ECUADOR (NZ) | G | 8 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 19= | 53kg | 106 |
| 20 | 10x8747x46 | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 19= | 53kg | 106 |
| 21 | 311255×427 | RED EXCITEMENT | G | 8 | Gerald Ryan | 19= | 53kg | 106 |
| 22 | x156495x84 | MCCREERY (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 22= | 52.5kg | 105 |
| 23 | 31x11111x2 | EGG TART | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 22= | 50.5kg | 105 |
| 24 | 7x0472x5x6 | GOOD PROJECT | H | 6 | Chris Waller | 24= | 52kg | 104 |
| 25 | 3590x160x6 | HE OR SHE | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 24= | 52kg | 104 |
| 26 | 13540x0x65 | MACKINTOSH (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 26= | 51.5kg | 103 |
| 27 | 3x6905x222 | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 26= | 51.5kg | 103 |
| 28 | 280x344x21 | BRAVE SMASH (JPN) | H | 5 | Darren Weir | 28= | 51kg | 102 |
| 29 | 23292490×7 | DIBAYANI (IRE) | G | 8 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 28= | 51kg | 102 |
| 30 | 33x5126x69 | INFERENCE | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 28= | 51kg | 102 |
| 31 | 5×91375113 | RHYTHM TO SPARE (NZ) | G | 8 | Michael Moroney | 28= | 51kg | 102 |
| 32 | 282x060x00 | SEABURGE | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 28= | 51kg | 102 |
| 33 | 1x11130x15 | BONNY O’REILLY (NZ) | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 28= | 50kg | 102 |
| 34 | 68×6502206 | AMOVATIO | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 34= | 50.5kg | 101 |
| 35 | 1516510×39 | BOOM TIME | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 34= | 50.5kg | 101 |
| 36 | 1x76x0101x | RED BOMBER | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 34= | 50.5kg | 101 |
| 37 | x6321220x0 | SAVILE ROW (NZ) | H | 4 | Michael Moroney | 34= | 50.5kg | 101 |
| 38 | 0x20407x23 | EURO ANGEL (NZ) | M | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 34= | 50kg | 101 |
| 39 | 11x16515x0 | GHISONI | M | 5 | James Cummings | 34= | 50kg | 101 |
| 40 | 7121175×31 | GRANDE ROSSO | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 40= | 50kg | 100 |
| 41 | 70x6713x71 | HARDHAM | H | 4 | David Brideoake | 40= | 50kg | 100 |
| 42 | 23×0653111 | HELL OR HIGHWATER | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 40= | 50kg | 100 |
| 43 | 028x337x76 | MAURUS (GB) | G | 7 | John P Thompson | 40= | 50kg | 100 |
| 44 | 33x1106x73 | SPECTROSCOPE (USA) | H | 5 | James Cummings | 40= | 50kg | 100 |
| 45 | 9x12x27x56 | OMEI SWORD | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 45 | 50kg | 99 |
| 46 | 21612×9725 | CHOCOLATE HOLIC | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 46 | 50kg | 98 |
| 47 | 23276×1531 | SOVEREIGN NATION | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 47= | 50kg | 97 |
| 48 | 44943×1980 | TASHBEEH | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 47= | 50kg | 97 |
| 49 | 66×1476295 | THE VIRGINIAN | G | 5 | Brett Cavanough | 47= | 50kg | 97 |
| 50 | x151611125 | CANNYESCENT | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 50= | 50kg | 96 |
| 51 | 41x122x253 | LIFE LESS ORDINARY (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 50= | 50kg | 96 |
| 52 | x41212x221 | THEANSWERMYFRIEND | G | 4 | Robert Smerdon | 50= | 50kg | 96 |
| 53 | 7x1215x141 | WASHINGTON HEIGHTS | G | 6 | Gerald Ryan | 50= | 50kg | 96 |
| 54 | 36x621x325 | IMPOSING LASS (NZ) | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 54= | 50kg | 95 |
| 55 | 4x234161x7 | THE MISSION | C | 3 | Paul Perry | 54= | 48kg | 95 |
| 56 | 11x62745x6 | NEW TIPPERARY | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | 56= | 50kg | 94 |
| 57 | 14x4197x88 | RAW IMPULSE (GB) | H | 6 | Darren Weir | 56= | 50kg | 94 |
| 58 | 518437×443 | ROCKET COMMANDER | M | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 56= | 50kg | 94 |
| 59 | 114173×546 | SNITZSON | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 56= | 50kg | 94 |
| 60 | 4x4030x228 | SO SI BON | H | 4 | Robbie Laing | 56= | 50kg | 94 |
| 61 | x251212x67 | INVADER | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 56= | 48kg | 94 |
| 62 | 5225223×54 | COOL CHAP | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 62= | 50kg | 93 |
| 63 | 2894053443 | JACQUINOT BAY | G | 10 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 62= | 50kg | 93 |
| 64 | 3×68321983 | PETROLOGY | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 62= | 50kg | 93 |
| 65 | 333x6759x0 | HAPPY HANNAH | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 65 | 50kg | 92 |
| 66 | 2210×67911 | EMBLEY | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 66= | 50kg | 91 |
| 67 | x55250x118 | LUBITON | M | 4 | Bjorn Baker | 66= | 50kg | 91 |
| 68 | 1x11x661x0 | RADIPOLE (IRE) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 66= | 50kg | 91 |
| 69 | 5111619×2 | DAWN WALL | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 69= | 50kg | 90 |
| 70 | 01x1118x5 | MY NORDIC HERO (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 69= | 50kg | 90 |
| 71 | 1x1380x000 | RISQUE (NZ) | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 69= | 50kg | 90 |
| 72 | 3×33017128 | KINGSGUARD (NZ) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 72 | 50kg | 89 |
| 73 | 38×0009720 | MIHANY | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 73= | 50kg | 88 |
| 74 | 2×32111114 | SPECIAL MISSILE | G | 4 | John P Thompson | 73= | 50kg | 88 |
| 75 | 228x4x90x9 | LIZARD ISLAND | G | 5 | Pat Hyland | 75= | 50kg | 87 |
| 76 | x53526x425 | NO DOUBT | H | 5 | Anthony & Edward Cummings | 75= | 50kg | 87 |
| 77 | 4x156x199x | DOUBLE DREAM (FR) | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 77= | 50kg | 85 |
| 78 | 8x1130109x | MONGOLIAN WOLF | G | 4 | Darren Weir | 77= | 50kg | 85 |
| 79 | 41231x2x21 | SAMOVARE | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 79= | 50kg | 84 |
| 80 | 14163×64 | TRAPEZE ARTIST | C | 3 | Gerald Ryan | 79= | 48kg | 84 |
| 81 | 3x75430x46 | TAHANEE (ARG) | M | 5 | Darren Weir | 81= | 50kg | 83 |
| 82 | 4883230×76 | VELADERO | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 81= | 50kg | 83 |
| 83 | 1x32386x90 | SKYLIGHT GLOW | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 83 | 50kg | 80 |
| 84 | 15×21 | DRACARYS | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 84 | 48kg | 78 |
| 85 | 113x256x68 | JENNIFER LYNN | M | 4 | Darren Weir | 85= | 50kg | 77 |
| 86 | 1213 | ADDICTIVE NATURE | C | 3 | Bjorn Baker | 85= | 48kg | 77 |
| 87 | 5x714538x1 | SCREAMARR | G | 4 | Anthony & Edward Cummings | 87= | 50kg | 75 |
| 88 | 112 | ASSIMILATE | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 87= | 48kg | 75 |
| 89 | 214×83 | GAUGUIN (NZ) | G | 4 | John Sargent | 89 | 50kg | 68 |
