Autumn Boy draws barrier one in 19-horse Epsom Handicap field
James McDonald rides Autumn Boy at 55.5kg in Saturday’s Randwick feature. Topweight Ceolwulf drew barrier seven, while Militarize landed the outside gate.
Chris Waller’s Autumn Boy has drawn barrier one for Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600 metres) at Randwick, with 19 runners declared.
James McDonald rides Autumn Boy at 55.5kg. Joseph Pride’s Ceolwulf heads the weights at 59kg and drew barrier seven for Chad Schofield, while stablemate Attica drew six with 51.5kg.
Well Written, the unbeaten New Zealand mare trained by Stephen Marsh, drew barrier three at 55kg. Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Tom Kitten will carry 57.5kg from barrier four, with Adam Hyeronimus booked to ride.
At the other end of the draw, Waller’s Militarize has barrier 19 under 53.5kg, while Matthew Smith’s Idle Flyer drew 18 at 55kg. Waller’s Lady Shenandoah has barrier 16, also with 55kg.
Perfumist, trained by Bjorn Baker, drew 17 with 50kg and Rachel King booked. The pair won the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400 metres.
Fully Lit, runner-up to Autumn Glow in last year’s Epsom, drew barrier eight with 51kg for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Waller has seven runners in the field. His other four are Panova (barrier 14), God’s Window (13), Declichy Boulevard (two) and Mr Miller (five). Each has 50kg, the minimum listed weight shared by eight runners.
Just seven fillies will face the starter in the Group 1 Flight Stakes, with Bangkok Hottie chasing her third straight race success. She has drawn barrier three while Striking Alibi comes from barrier two and Global Goal from barrier five.
