Toorak Handicap 2022: Runner-by-runner analysis for the $1m Group 1

Is there a challenger to Toorak Handicap favourite I Wish I Win? Brad Waters assesses the field for the $1m feature at Caulfield.

Callsign Mav (yellow silks) won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes ahead of Tuvalu (right, third). Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at the chances of every runner in Saturday’s $1m Group 1 Toorak Handicap.

RACE DETAILS

$1m GROUP 1 TOORAK HANDICAP

1600m, Caulfield race 9

Saturday at 5.10pm

1. CALLSIGN MAV (11) – $26

Trainer: Danny O’Brien. Jockey: Jamie Mott 58kg

BRAD SAYS: Super effort to win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last time out. Four-time Group 1 winner that looks over the odds at $26.

2. CONVERGE (10) – $31

Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Jockey: Tim Clark 56.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Well held by stars Zaaki and Anamoe at his two spring runs. Fitter for those and won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas over this trip in the autumn.

3. DALASAN (12) – $31

Trainers: Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas. Jockey: Jason Holder 56kg

BRAD SAYS: Should have finished closer in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Drops 2kg for this and should be thereabouts again here.

4. LAWS OF INDICES (15) – $23

Trainer: Annabel Neasham. Jockey: James McDonald 56kg

BRAD SAYS: Solid effort when not far away in the Sir Rupert Clarke first-up. Fitter for that and drops 2kg but was unplaced at his only 1600m run in the Doncaster Mile.

5. I WISH I WIN (13) – $2.50

Trainer: Peter Moody. Jockey: Luke Nolen 54.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Impressed in Australia with two outstanding wins in easier races. Was placed over 1600m at Group 1 level in New Zealand and weighted to win.

I Wish I Win has created a big impression in his two Australian runs. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images

6. HILAL (2) – $26

Trainers: Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes. Jockey: Craig Williams 54kg

BRAD SAYS: Worked home OK at the end of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Drawn well and yet to miss a place over 1600m. Craig Williams aboard is a plus.

7. BUFFALO RIVER (7) – $26

Trainer: Mike Moroney. Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse 53.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Bold frontrunner that fought on well in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Is a 1600m winner and likes wet tracks. Will again give them something to chase.

8. TUVALU (1) – $8.50

Trainer: Lindsey Smith. Jockey: Jarrod Fry 53.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Produced an excellent first-up effort when narrowly beaten in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Fitter and must be respected again.

9. GENTLEMAN ROY (4) – $9.50

Trainers: Ben & JD Hayes. Jockey: Jye McNeil 53kg

BRAD SAYS: Another on-pace runner that should ensure a good tempo. Kept finding to score at Sandown and will be in this for a long way.

10. BANKERS CHOICE (16) – $34

Trainer: Mike Moroney. Jockey: Craig Newitt 52.5kg

BRAD SAYS: Ran on well at the end of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes second-up. Will get back from a wide draw but he could run on into a minor placing.

11. MILITARY EXPERT (9) – $10

Trainer: Annabel Neasham. Jockey: Jamie Kah 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Turned in another solid on-pace effort at Sandown. Rises a couple of grades in class but will only carry 52kg.

Gentleman Roy and Military Expert ran the quinella last start. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

12. NONAME LANE (3) – $34

Trainer: Will Clarken. Jockey: Linda Meech 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Led and held on at Listed level at Bendigo last time. Jumps to Group 1 level but only gets 2kg in weight relief. However, he’s fit and flying.

13. PINSTRIPED (14) – $13

Trainer: Enver Jusufovic. Jockey: Michael Dee 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Developing four-year-old that has finished well at both runs this time in. Group 1 level is a query but he likes wet ground.

14. CHARACTER (8) – $19

Trainer: James Cummings. Jockey: Dean Yendall 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Had no luck when not far away in a much easier race at Flemington last Saturday. Drops in weight but doesn’t want heavy ground.

15. UNCLE BRYN (5) – $16

Trainers: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. Jockey: Daniel Moor 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Hasn’t been far away in easier races at his last couple of runs. Drops back from 2000m after a close second to subsequent Turnbull Stakes winner Smokin’ Romans.

16. WINNING PARTNER (6) – $71

Trainers: Tony & Calvin McEvoy. Jockey: Damien Thornton 52kg

BRAD SAYS: Not far away at Flemington last start but he has only won once in 21 starts on soft and heavy tracks.

BRAD’S TIPS

1. I WISH I WIN

2. CALLSIGN MAV

3. NONAME LANE

4. LAWS OF INDICES

Originally published as Toorak Handicap 2022: Runner-by-runner analysis for the $1m Group 1