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Another star-studded edition of one of Randwick’s time-honoured mile features headlines the Sydney racing action on Saturday, and the form analysts at Races.com.au have our full 2026 Epsom Handicap field, betting tips and predictions on the $1.5 million classic right here.
A race won by a host of turf greats over the years, the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) has attracted just under a capacity field in 2026 with 19 final acceptors led in betting by the talented Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy back in Sydney.
The rails-drawn son of The Autumn Sun is out to hand Waller his seventh Epsom Handicap victory since 2012 and third in four years following the stable’s recent victories with Rediener (2023) and super mare Autumn Glow (2025).
Four-year-old Autumn Boy has been sitting top of the Epsom Handicap betting markets at $3.80 through Ladbrokes since final acceptance stage on Tuesday presenting fit third-up and returning north after two Melbourne runs this prep.
Winner of the Caulfield Guineas – Rosehill Guineas as a three-year-old last season, he improved on a first-up eighth to Beiwacht in the Memsie to finish a brave but distant second at Flemington in the Makybe Diva Stakes behind gun mare Sheza Alibi.
Having shaken off the cobwebs he looks a big chance to return to winning form at the track and trip he finished second in both the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile over the autumn, and James McDonald reunites.
Ceolwulf ($4 in 2024) and Autumn Glow ($1.75 in 2025) are the latest Epsom Handicap favourites to win and there’s money for Autumn Boy to make it three wins on the trot for the punters this weekend.
Waller has a typically strong Epsom contingent outside the top fancy with a further six from the stable lining-up in the weekend’s feature including Mr Miller ($12) and Lady Shenandoah ($10).
The progressive Mr Miller is in on the 50kg minimum with Tyler Schiller in the saddle drawn well in gate five as the Kiwi-bred four-year-old faces his acid test.
A winner of three of his six starts to date and yet to finish out of the money, the up-and-comer rises notably in grade here having only had his first Group status test last start.
He went around the odds-on favourite in Newcastle’s Group 3 Cameron Handicap with 54kg finishing third to Fully Lit but will be airborne right back in the kilos and back up to 1600m.
Lady Shenandoah meanwhile has suffered an early blow drawing wide out in gate 16 for Tommy Berry with the triple Group 1 winner chasing her first victory since completing the Surround Stakes – Coolmore Classic double as a filly back in March last year.
A former Flight Stakes winner at this course and distance on Epsom Day 2024, she’s been competitive in all she’s been thrown in over the past year without winning including her back-to-back fourths this prep in the Winx Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke but will need luck from the draw.
The big early Epsom Handicap market mover now challenging Autumn Boy for favouritism also into $3.80 through Ladbrokes at time of publish is the undefeated Kiwi raider Well Written.
Stephen Marsh‘s ultra-consistent four-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon travels down under with a flawless seven-from-seven record she’s out to extend on Saturday from a favourable barrier three draw with the flying Zac Lloyd booked for the ride.
The classy chestnut has been oh so competitive back home across the Tasman including a 2.5 length Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas win over the mile at Riccarton last November and her famous The Kiwi victory at even money by a tight margin when starting at $1!
After claiming New Zealand’s richest race in a thriller back on March 7, Well Written continued to prove herself saluting at Ellerslie at the start of the month in the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) in the ideal lead-up to her raid on the spring riches in Australia.
Despite the size of this year’s Epsom Handicap field, the only other contender under double figures for the win at time of publish is the Joe Pride-trained Attica ($9.50).
Winner of last October’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, the now four-year-old son of Lonhro was third in the Randwick Guineas last prep and looks to have come on well this campaign.
He kicked things off right down in grade when second in a strong form race behind Althoff in Rosehill’s Spring Preview in mid-August before a last start third here on September 5 in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes with improvement expected as he gets back up in trip and right down in weight from 58kg to just 51.5kg on the weekend.
Others being kept safe in the markets include Pride’s 59kg topweight Ceolwulf ($12) after his second Epsom victory after success in 2024, the Bjorn Baker-trained El Roca mare Perfumist ($16) coming off an emphatic Group 3 Tibbie Stakes win in Newcastle, Idle Flyer ($19) with a nasty gate 18 draw but previous Group 1 winning form here over Lady Shenandoah, Waller’s Declichy Boulevard ($20) coming off a huge win at the track and trip with a massive weight, and Fully Lit ($26).
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Hellbent gelding Fully Lit was runner-up to Autumn Glow in last year’s Epsom quinella, is rock-hard fit fourth-up for his second attempt at the title and brings in winning form from the Cameron Handicap making him potential value for the exotics.
The 2026 Epsom Handicap is set to run as Randwick Race 8 at 4:10pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 Epsom Handicap Best Bets
Favourite: No. 3 Autumn Boy
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 8th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Beiwacht carrying 58.5kg at $9. Second run from a spell 2nd of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 58.5kg at $20. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 6 Well Written
| 6. Well Written (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 111×1 T: Stephen Marsh | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months won by 1.75 len in the G1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie on September 5 over 1400m in soft going defeating Alabama Lass carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Previously second-up scored a big 6 len win in the G2 Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie on October 18 over 1400m defeating Little Black Dress carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. Looks a huge chance to add to the winning sequence. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 17 Declichy Boulevard
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 16 in a Goul Cup Mbm98 at Goulburn on August 23 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Just Party carrying 55.5kg at $6.50. Second run from a spell favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.25 len in a Bm88 at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating Knobelas carrying 59.5kg at $2.50. Racing well. | |||
2026 Epsom Handicap Same Race Multi Selections
$12.50 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 3 – No. 3 Autumn Boy
- Top 3 – No. 6 Well Written
- Top 5 – No. 17 Declichy Boulevard
Latest Epsom Handicap 2026 Odds
| 1. Ceolwulf (7) J: Chad Schofield 59kg 6×523 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Most recently 3rd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $15. The run before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $3.60. Finds a few better today. | |||
| 2. Tom Kitten (4) J: Adam Hyeronimus 57.5kg 17×00 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran second last of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $26. Last start settled back and ran on when 10th of 16 in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Angel Capital carrying 59kg at $26. | |||
| 3. Autumn Boy (1) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 12×82 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 8th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Beiwacht carrying 58.5kg at $9. Second run from a spell 2nd of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 58.5kg at $20. | |||
| 4. Idle Flyer (18) J: Jason Collett 55kg 1×644 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Most recently eased back early on ran second last in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 2 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $26. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m, 3 len behind Headley Grange carrying 56kg at $2.45. | |||
| 5. Lady Shenandoah (16) J: Tommy Berry 55kg 42×44 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 4th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $19. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 16 in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Angel Capital with 56kg at $4.80. Capable of a better showing. | |||
| 6. Well Written (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 111×1 T: Stephen Marsh | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months won by 1.75 len in the G1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie on September 5 over 1400m in soft going defeating Alabama Lass carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Previously second-up scored a big 6 len win in the G2 Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie on October 18 over 1400m defeating Little Black Dress carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. Looks a huge chance to add to the winning sequence. | |||
| 7. Militarize (19) J: Tim Clark 53.5kg 623×6 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 6th of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 3.5 len behind Skyhook with 58kg at $31. Previously second-up 5th of 11 in the G2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill on March 14 over 1500m, 2 len behind Cristal Clear carrying 57.5kg at $5. | |||
| 8. Attica (6) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 51.5kg 80×23 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 in a Springprev at Rosehill on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 2.25 len behind Althoff with 59kg at $3.10. Last start 3rd of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Headley Grange with 58kg at $12. | |||
| 9. Vivy Air (9) J: Reece Jones 51kg 300×8 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months eased back early on 8th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 5.5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 58kg at $18. Previously second-up 10th of 16 in the G1 Doncaster Mile at this track on April 4 over 1600m, slow going 8 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 51kg at $21. | |||
| 10. Fully Lit (8) J: Winona Costin 51kg 0x341 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run won by 1.2 len in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m defeating I’mintowin with 55.5kg at $5.50. The race before that 4th of 8 in a Bm100 at Rosehill on August 29 over 1500m, 2.75 len behind Althoff carrying 59kg at $4.40. | |||
| 11. Hellsing (12) J: Braith Nock 51kg 011×5 T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 5th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 58kg at $15. Previously second-up from last on the turn 7th of 9 in a Bm88 at this track on January 3 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Cool Jakey with 59kg at $61. | |||
| 12. Perfumist (17) J: Rachel King 50kg 071×1 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; won by 2.5 len in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m defeating Mareth with 55kg at $3.60. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in the G2 Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill on March 28 over 1500m, slow going 5 len behind Idle Flyer with 55kg at $21. | |||
| 13. Matcha Latte (15) J: Robbie Dolan 50kg 13×32 T: Nacim Dilmi | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming held ground to the line 3rd of 8 in the G3 Show County Quality at this track on August 22 over 1200m, slow going 0.5 len behind Midnight In Tokyo with 57kg at $8.50. Second-up gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 10 in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind General Salute with 53kg at $13. | |||
| 14. Panova (14) J: Alysha Collett 50kg 712×6 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months got back early 6th of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Headley Grange with 56kg at $31. Previously second-up 5th of 11 in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill on March 14 over 1500m, 3 len behind Sixties with 54.5kg at $13. | |||
| 15. Plymouth (11) J: Jackson Radley 50kg 031×6 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 6th of 13 in the LR Tontonan (Sofitel) Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m, 2 len behind Welcometotheshow carrying 57.5kg at $26. Previously second-up 4th of 10 in the G2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington on February 28 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Birdman with 55kg at $18. | |||
| 16. God’s Window (13) J: Siena Grima 50kg 123×5 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 5th of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 2.25 len behind Skyhook with 53kg at $41. Previously second-up won by a nose in a Bm94 at this track on May 23 over 1600m in the wet defeating Ruby Flyer with 55kg at $5.50. | |||
| 17. Declichy Boulevard (2) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 15×31 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 16 in a Goul Cup Mbm98 at Goulburn on August 23 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Just Party carrying 55.5kg at $6.50. Second run from a spell favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.25 len in a Bm88 at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating Knobelas carrying 59.5kg at $2.50. Racing well. | |||
| 18. Encap (10) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 50kg 29×04 T: Gary Portelli | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran second last of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 5.5 len behind Skyhook with 53.5kg at $12. Second run from a spell came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 8 in the G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m, 4 len behind Skyhook with 53kg at $18. | |||
| 19. Mr Miller (5) J: Tyler Schiller 50kg 2×113 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 3rd of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 1.5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 54kg at $1.80. The start before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 3 len in a Cg&E Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 1500m defeating Invader Zim carrying 58.5kg at $1.90. | |||
