• Top 2 – No. 5 Sepals
• Top 3 – No. 9 Leica Lucy
• Top 3 – No. 7 Lazzura

SEPALS (4), fresh off his Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes triumph, tops the latest Toorak Handicap market and looks a genuine Top 2 chance for the punters. The ultra-reliable Calyx gelding is unbeaten at Caulfield and now steps up to the mile for the first time since a gritty fourth behind Feroce in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, where he was beaten just two lengths in the autumn as a three-year-old. Third-up and rock-hard fit this prep, he’s chasing a rare double as no horse has completed the Sir Rupert Clarke–Toorak Handicap double since Trust In A Gust in 2014. Craig Williams guided him to victory last start from a wide draw, but this time Ethan Brown, who partnered him to a first-up win, takes the reins from barrier 4 with 57kg. He looks primed to strike again and is enjoying a lovely purple patch, and the only reason I don’t have him for the outright win is the rise in weight now.

LEICA LUCY (10) is a Kiwi import for trainer Chris Waller who is chasing his first Toorak Handicap win this season. Drawn in barrier 10 with Damian Lane aboard she’s well-supported into $8 at time of publish as one of the genuine single-figure fancies with claims at the title. The talented Derryn mare strung together five consecutive wins in New Zealand last prep, capped by her Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m) triumph, before a close fourth—less than a length behind Treasurethe Moment—in the Group 1 ATC Oaks in Sydney. She’s had just one run this campaign, finishing a solid fourth in the Let’s Elope Stakes under 58.5kg, and now steps up in distance, which suits her proven staying profile. Dropping to 54.5kg, she’s well placed to make her presence felt.

LAZZURA (5) is Waller’s flying Snitzel mare who is an early market mover, aiming for a hat-trick of wins as a four-year-old. She kicked off her campaign with a gritty victory over With Your Blessing on a Heavy (10) Randwick track in the Group 3 Show County Quality, then backed it up with a polished performance on a Good (4) surface at Flemington in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes, carrying 57.5kg. Now dropping to 56kg and making her Caulfield debut from a favourable gate five, she’ll be partnered again by top jockey James McDonald, who knows her well.