Toorak Handicap
Toorak Handicap
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | Saturday, October 12, 2024 |
| Location: | Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria |
| Prize Money: | $1,000,000 |
| Distance: | 1600m |
The Group 1 Toorak Handicap is held every October at Caulfield and is worth $1,000,000. The 1600m handicap is regarded as one of the best mile races in Australia and if punters are looking for value this race is for them.
Unlike many other Melbourne spring carnival races the Toorak suits horses paying a good price. This pleases punters, especially those wanting to make some money before the Melbourne Cup a few weeks later.
More Joyous has been the most impressive winner of the Toorak Handicap when it won carrying 58kg in 2010. That was one occasion where punters found a favourite ($2.20), but there has generally been good value on offer with the bookmakers.
2024 Toorak Handicap betting odds
Odds for the Toorak Handicap as of October 12, 2024 – Courtesy of Neds
- Another Wil Win $3.00 Place $1.40
- Antino Win $4.80 Place $1.70
- Craig Win $7.00 Place $2.15
- Desert Lightning Win $8.00 Place $2.30
- Osipenko Win $8.00 Place $2.30
- Alsephina Win $13.00 Place $3.10
- Orchestral Win $14.00 Place $3.30
Best Toorak Handicap bookmakers
The Toorak Handicap isn’t a race that’s on the tip of every punters’ tongue, but the bookies offer great value which has been snapped up over the last few years.
Markets will open 1-2 months in advance of the race with most bookmakers waiting for final nominations to come in. Some of the top online bookmakers will open up all-in markets which don’t provide insurance if your selected runner doesn’t start in the race, but the odds are more appealing.
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Latest Toorak Handicap News
Toorak Handicap betting guide
In the last 11 years, only five favourites have won which includes More Joyous, Trust In A Gust, Solzhenitsyn, Red Dazzler and I’m Thunderstruck, but the race is set for a good-value runner.
Because the race is early October, many of the spring carnival fancies are just starting to warm up and this is where punters can strike. There have been 14 winners at double-figure odds in the last 35 years and the average price is an incredible $24.57.
The value is also with the New Zealand and former New Zealand runners. There has been three individual winners come out of New Zealand with four wins among them – Solzhenitsyn winning back-to-back in 2012/2013. Alamosa won in 2008 paying $9 and the Stephen McKee-trained King Mufhasa won in 2011 paying the same price.
Allez Wonder caused one of the biggest upsets in recent history, winning at odds of $40 in 2009. It defeated a field that included Raheeb, Black Piranha, All American and King Mufhasa.
Victorian form is the way to go when betting the Toorak Handicap. Only four winners had their most recent run in Sydney, so stick with the runners which have had plenty of experience at the difficult Caulfield track.
The best jockey to back is Glen Boss who has ridden three winners from 13 starts. Only Jimmy Cassidy has better stats, but with his retirement comes the end of a good punting opportunity.
Darren Weir was a trainer to follow prior to his suspension, especially given his form over the last few years. Weir has had four runners for two wins and one placing, winning with Trust In A Gust and Lucky Hussler in consecutive years.
2024 Toorak Handicap Final Field
1. Desert Lightning (11)
- T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
- J: Luke Nolen
- W: 57kg
- F: 13×93
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pride of Dubai
- Dam: Isstoora
2. Pericles (13)
- T: James Cummings
- J: James McDonald
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 313×2
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Street Boss (USA)
- Dam: Accessories (GB)
3. Antino (8)
- T: Tony Gollan
- J: Blake Shinn
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 334×0
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Redwood (GB)
- Dam: Mahamaya (NZ)
4. Another Wil (1)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 55kg
- F: 11×71
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Street Boss (USA)
- Dam: Arohanui
5. Light Infantry Man (5)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: John Allen
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 6x07x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fast Company (IRE)
- Dam: Lights On Me (GB)
6. Orchestral (6)
- T: Robert James & Robert Wellwood
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 54kg
- F: 8×311
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Symphonic (NZ)
7. Alsephina (10)
- T: Grant & Alana Williams
- J: Joe McNeil
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 13×62
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Star Turn
- Dam: Delta Gee
8. Bank Maur (4)
- T: Richard Laming
- J: Patrick Moloney
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 403×0
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Maurice (JPN)
- Dam: Banksia
9. Craig (12)
- T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 21312
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Territories (IRE)
- Dam: Travel Writer (IRE)
10. Jimmy The Bear (7)
- T: Patrick & Michelle Payne
- J: Billy Egan
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 46521
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Jimmy Creed (USA)
- Dam: Belvedere Road
11. Magnaspin (2)
- T: Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin
- J: Daniel Moor
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 3×561
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Magnus
- Dam: Luxaspin
12. Osipenko (3)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 49×69
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pierro
- Dam: Raskova (USA)
Previous Toorak Handicap Fields
Plenty of Group 1 superstars have won the Toorak Handicap. Check the previous fields of the Toorak here.
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
My OberonAnnabel NeashamMark Zahra1557kg2 The Inevitable John Keys David Pires 8 56.5kg 3 Amelia’s Jewel Simon Miller Damian Lane 12 56kg 4 Pinstriped Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 11 56kg 5 Pounding Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 9 55kg 6 Antino Tony Gollan Blake Shinn 17 54.5kg 7 Attrition Mitchell Freedman Beau Mertens 10 54kg 8 Bankers Choice Mike Moroney Patrick Moloney 16 53.5kg 9 Corner Pocket Lindsey Smith Craig Newitt 4 53.5kg 10 Pride Of Jenni Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 5 52kg 11 Ironclad Will Clarken & Nikki O’Shea Linda Meech 1 52kg 12 Savannah Cloud Phillip Stokes Daniel Moor 14 52kg 13 See You In Heaven Richard & Chantelle Jolly Michael Dee 13 52kg 14 Here To Shock Ben, Will & JD Hayes Dean Yendall 3 52kg 15 Amenable Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Wiremu Pinn 6 52kg 16 Charterhouse Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jye McNeil 2 52kg 17 Beltoro Robert Hickmott Teo Nugent 7 52kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Callsign Mav Danny O’Brien Jamie Mott 11 58kg 2 Converge Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 10 56.5kg 3 Dalasan Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas Jason Holder 12 56kg 4 Laws Of Indices Annabel Neasham James McDonald 15 56kg 5 I Wish I Win Peter Moody Luke Nolen 13 54.5kg 6 Hilal Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Craig Williams 2 54kg 7 Buffalo River Michael Moroney Daniel Stackhouse 7 53.5kg 8 Tuvalu Lindsey Smith Jarrod Fry 1 53.5kg 9 Gentleman Roy Ben & JD Hayes Jye McNeil 4 53kg 10 Bankers Choice Mike Moroney Craig Newitt 16 52.5kg 11 Military Expert Annabel Neasham Jamie Kah 9 52kg 12 Noname Lane Will Clarken Linda Meech 3 52kg 13 Pinstriped Enver Jusufovic Michael Dee 14 52kg 14 Character James Cummings Dean Yendall 8 52kg 15 Uncle Bryn Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 5 52kg 16 Winning Partner Tony & Calvin McEvoy Damien Thornton 6 52kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Tofane Michael Moroney Craig Williams 3 58kg 2 Superstorm Danny O’Brien Damien Oliver 10 56.5kg 3 Sierra Sue Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 11 56kg 4 Elephant Emma-Lee & David Browne Damian Lane 5 55.5kg 5 Lunar Fox Paul Preusker Brett Prebble 13 54kg 6 Dice Roll Nick Ryan Fred Kersley 1 53.5kg 7 Harbour ViewsMatthew WilliamsMichael Dee1453kg8 Quantum Mechanic Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Craig Newitt 6 52.5kg 9 AysarBen & JD HayesHarry Coffey752kg10 Irish Flame Brett Scott Matthew Cartwright 12 52kg 11 I’m Thunderstruck Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Jye McNeil 4 52kg 12 So You Assume Shane Nichols Dean Yendall 9 52kg 13 Second Slip Will Clarken Linda Meech 2 52kg 14 Embolism Danny O’Brien Damien Thornton 8 52kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mr Quickie Phillip Stokes Jamie Kah 2 59kg 2 Cascadian James Cummings Damien Oliver 6 58.5kg 3 So Si Bon Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes Luke Nolen 12 58kg 4 I Am Superman Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 7 57.5kg 5 Superstorm Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 13 57.5kg 6 Chief Ironside Kris Lees Hugh Bowman 3 57kg 7 Mandela Effect Scott Brunton Craig Newitt 8 56.5kg 8 Reykjavik Lindsey Smith Dean Yendall 14 56.5kg 9 Achernar Star Lindsey Smith Jamie Mott 1 56kg 10 Sikandarabad Sam Kavanagh Jye McNeil 10 56kg 11 Sircconi Nick Ryan Daniel Stackhouse 11 56kg 12 Age Of Chivalry Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra Damian Lane 15 55.5kg 13 Junipal Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 9 55.5kg 14 Harlech Michael Moroney Michael Dee 4 54.5kg 15 Buffalo River Michael Moroney Craig Williams 5 53kg
2023 Toorak Handicap result
1st – Attrition (+2500)
2nd – Antino (-125)
3rd – Bankers Choice (+2800)
Toorak Handicap – Recent runnings
- The 2023 Toorak Handicap has provided Mitchell Freedman and Beau Mertens their maiden Group 1 success, with Attrition ($31.00) just edging out Antino ($5.00) in a photo finish in the 1600m contest. After going so close in his last Group 1 efforts, Mitchell Freedman finally got that Group 1 success that he has been working so hard for throughout his career, while Beau Mertens added his first Group 1 winning ride to his five Group level victories throughout his career. As expected, Pride Of Jenni ($15.00) went to the front and ran the race at a good tempo before pushing the button and setting the race alight at the 500m mark, which saw a number of jockeys go for their mounts earlier than they would have wanted to. Amenable ($19.00) took over with 300m to go, but Attrition and Antino were finishing stronger down the outside, and they claimed him with 200m to go and fought out the finish. A glaring absentee from the contending runners was the race favourite Amelia’s Jewel ($2.30), who looked to be coasting behind the eventual winner, but she lacked that explosive turn of foot and ended up finishing an underwhelming ninth — beaten 5.5 lengths.
- Tuvalu took off at the top of the straight to take hold of the Toorak Handicap, running away from Laws Of Indices and Military Expert casuing somewhat of a minor upset in the Group 1. The Toorak Handicap win gave Jarrod Fry his first Group 1 in his lengthy career aboard Tuvalu, who he has ridden at the gelding at the majority of his Victorian runs.
- I’m Thunderstruck announced himself as a genuine Group 1 horse in the 2021 Toorak Handicap, winning the 1600m event at Caulfield by three quarters of a length and claiming his first Group One race. All eyes were on four-year-old gelding as he went into the race the favourite, things didn’t start as planned stuck between the the pack and off the rail, however between the class of Jye McNeil and brute strength of the gelding they managed to break through the wall and beat multi group one winner Tofane by .75 of a length.
- Despite needing to lug 59kg under handicap conditions, the Phillip Stokes-trained Mr Quickie proved to classy for his rivals in the 2020 Toorak. It looked like Mr Quickie may not get any luck with 800m to go, travelling beautifully but caught four pairs back on the fence. However, a patient ride from the ever reliable Jamie Kah saw the gaps open up approaching the home turn and the rest they say was history. The six-year-old pounced on the leader Buffalo River inside the final furlong and was strong through the line putting two-lengths on his closest rival.
- Despite drawing barrier 15 in a field of 18 and being Three Wide the trip, it was no issue as Fierce Impact wins the G1 Toorak Handicap in soft fashion. Craig Williams was able to get the stallion in the moving line early, and when asked for an effort at the 600 metre mark he was able to put away the big field with ease when claiming the lead at 150 metre mark and left the remainder of the field flat footed, and in the process handing Williams his second Toorak Handicap.
- Land Of Plenty was one of the favoured runners coming into the 2018 Toorak Handicap and backers were not let down. Settling towards the back of the field after a hot tempo up front, Land Of Plenty was able to snag three-wide cover heading into the second half of the race which proved decisive. The Weir runner ambled up alongside the front runners and shot straight past them at the 200m, with Humidor staying on well to finish in second.
- Tosen Stardom paid a great price for punters in 2017, winning at odds of $10.50. The Darren Weir-trained import was coming off a frustrating autumn campaign, but it had the class edge over a field which lacked strong group one winning form. Outsiders finished in the placings which further added to the depth worries about the race, but the result landed a massive $344,422 first four result with Mark Of Time running fourth. Read race report.
- He’s Our Rokki made it five consecutive wins in Melbourne when winning the Toorak Handicap. Favourite punters scored another big win on the day and it continued the roll of trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig who trained four winners on the big day.
- Lucky Hussler gave trainer Darren Weir his second consecutive win in 2015. The then six-year-old was well liked in the market after a string of consistent performances and it established its class over the final 100m. The beaten brigade haven’t gone on to become major winners of note, but Disposition, Stratum Star and Strawberry Boy were all worthy rivals. The win also gave Glen Boss his third win in the race.
- The son of Keep The Faith Trust In A Gust battled well in the straight to hold off the fast-finished Speediness. The win was Darren Weir’s first Toorak Handicap winner and one of his career highlights at the time. The 2014 field has subsequently been one of the weakest in history. Many of the beaten runners have performed well since, but only at handicap level. Solicit is the exception with numerous black type victories – it finished well down the track in eighth, but was found to be lame.
Toorak Handicap past winners list
| Toorak Handicap Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Attrition | Beau Mertens | Mitchell Freedman |
| 2022 | Tuvalu | Jarrod Fry | Lindsey Smith |
| 2021 | I’m Thunderstruck | Jye McNeil | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
| 2020 | Mr Quickie | Jamie Kah | Phillip Stokes |
| 2019 | Fierce Impact | Craig Williams | Matthew Smith |
| 2018 | Land Of Plenty | Damian Lane | Darren Weir |
| 2017 | Tosen Stardom | Damian Lane | Darren Weir |
| 2016 | He’s Our Rokkii | Dwayne Dunn | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig |
| 2015 | Lucky Hussler | Glen Boss | Darren Weir |
| 2014 | Trust In A Gust | Brad Rawiller | Darren Weir |
| 2013 | Solzhenitsyn | Nash Rawiller | Robert Heathcote |
| 2012 | Solzhenitsyn | Corey Brown | Robert Heathcote |
| 2011 | Mufhasa | Michael Rodd | Stephen McKee |
| 2010 | More Joyous | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2009 | Allez Wonder | Michelle Payne | Bart Cummings |
| 2008 | Alamosa | Craig Newitt | Mick Price |
| 2007 | Divine Madonna | Michael Rodd | Mark Kavanagh |
| 2006 | Red Dazzler | Jim Cassidy | Mick Price |
| 2005 | Barely A Moment | Craig Williams | David Hayes |
| 2004 | Regal Roller | Mark Flaherty | Clinton McDonald |
| 2003 | Roman Arch | Luke Currie | Mick Whittle |
| 2002 | Shot Of Thunder | Glen Boss | John O’Shea |
| 2001 | Show A Heart | Glen Boss | Barry Miller |
| 2000 | Umrum | Jim Cassidy | Leon Macdonald |
Toorak Handicap Past Winners Pre 2000
| Toorak Handicap Past Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Umrum | ||
| 1998 | Marble Halls | ||
| 1997 | Penghulu | ||
| 1996 | Poetic King | ||
| 1995 | Sober Suit | ||
| 1994 | Oppressor | ||
| 1993 | Golden Sword | ||
| 1992 | Ready To Explode | ||
| 1991 | Comrade | ||
| 1990 | Ricochet Rosie | ||
| 1989 | Cole Diesel | ||
| 1988 | Planet Ruler | ||
| 1987 | Caledonian Boy | ||
| 1986 | Canny Lass | ||
| 1985 | King Phoenix | ||
| 1984 | Mr. Ironclad | ||
| 1983 | Showmeran | ||
| 1982 | Magari | ||
| 1981 | Penny Edition | ||
| 1980 | Torbek | ||
| 1979 | Manaroa | ||
| 1978 | Salamander | ||
| 1977 | Nunkalowe | ||
| 1976 | Visit | ||
| 1975 | Plush | ||
| 1974 | Leilani | ||
| 1973 | Princess Eulogy | ||
| 1972 | All Shot | ||
| 1971 | Gunsynd | ||
| 1970 | Tauto | ||
| 1969 | Crewman | ||
| 1968 | Tried And True | ||
| 1967 | Tobin Bronze | ||
| 1966 | Galilee | ||
| 1965 | Ripa | ||
| 1964 | Nicopolis | ||
| 1963 | Nicopolis | ||
| 1962 | Gay Filou | ||
| 1961 | Anonyme | ||
| 1960 | Gabonia | ||
| 1959 | Smokey Jane | ||
| 1958 | Tudor Hill | ||
| 1957 | Mac’s Amber | ||
| 1956 | Farquhar | ||
| 1955 | Harmonist | ||
| 1954 | Plato | ||
| 1953 | Desert Breeze | ||
| 1952 | Desert Breeze | ||
| 1951 | Jovial Lad | ||
| 1950 | Grey Boots | ||
| 1949 | Saxony | ||
| 1948 | Saxony | ||
| 1947 | Don Pedro | ||
| 1946 | Royal Gem | ||
| 1945 | Huntingdale | ||
| 1944 | The Bohemian | ||
| 1943 | Burberry / Counsel | ||
| 1942 | Crojick | ||
| 1941 | Sun Valley | ||
| 1940 | Gold Salute | ||
| 1939 | Hilton | ||
| 1938 | El Golea / Ena | ||
| 1937 | The Trump | ||
| 1936 | The Chanter | ||
| 1935 | Epigram / Journal | ||
| 1934 | Sir Simper | ||
| 1933 | Chilperic | ||
| 1932 | K. Cid | ||
| 1931 | Glenanton | ||
| 1930 | The Gay Mutineer | ||
| 1929 | Highland | ||
| 1928 | Kalloni | ||
| 1927 | Textile | ||
| 1926 | Abdera | ||
| 1925 | Metellus | ||
| 1924 | Soorak | ||
| 1923 | Sonora | ||
| 1922 | The Tyrant | ||
| 1921 | Stare | ||
| 1920 | Lord Setay | ||
| 1919 | St. Mira | ||
| 1918 | Prince Royal | ||
| 1917 | King’s Bounty | ||
| 1916 | Rael Locin | ||
| 1915 | Miss Meadows | ||
| 1914 | Rathlea | ||
| 1913 | Valido | ||
| 1912 | Uncle Sam | ||
| 1911 | Motoa | ||
| 1910 | Sequarious | ||
| 1909 | Irishman | ||
| 1908 | Soultline | ||
| 1907 | True Scot | ||
| 1906 | Iolaire | ||
| 1905 | Dandalla | ||
| 1904 | Ossian | ||
| 1903 | F.J.A. | ||
| 1902 | Kinglock | ||
| 1901 | Bonnie Chiel | ||
| 1900 | Lochaber | ||
| 1899 | Alva | ||
| 1898 | Massinissa | ||
| 1897 | Paul Pry | ||
| 1896 | Hopscotch | ||
| 1895 | Mostyn | ||
| 1894 | Devon | ||
| 1893 | Titan | ||
| 1892 | Fortunatus | ||
| 1891 | Zalinski | ||
| 1890 | Precedence | ||
| 1889 | Maelstrom | ||
| 1888 | Bothwell | ||
| 1887 | Dufferin | ||
| 1886 | Middlemarch | ||
| 1885 | Mentmore | ||
| 1884 | Precious Stone | ||
| 1883 | Bar One | ||
| 1882 | Verdure | ||
| 1881 | Josephine | ||
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