Toorak Handicap Racing Tips - Value aplenty in wide-open Toorak

Unlike the Might And Power Stakes, where Sheza Alibi dominates betting, Saturday's Toorak shapes as a wide-open contest. Lady Shenandoah and Regal Award share favouritism at $6, with Evaporate, Changing Colours and several other leading chances close behind in the market.

Lady Shenandoah ($6) brings outstanding credentials to the race, having already established herself as a multiple Group 1 winner. The Chris Waller-trained mare has been competitive without winning in two appearances this preparation, most recently finishing fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. She steps to 1600m carrying 58kg, with champion jockey James McDonald taking the ride from barrier nine. Her class is unquestionable, although the weight and race shape present challenges.

Regal Award ($6) is another major contender after producing an encouraging first-up performance in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. The Phillip and Tommy Stokes-trained galloper finished third behind Angel Capital and should appreciate stepping up to 1600m second-up. He has drawn barrier four and carries 55kg, giving him a three-kilogram advantage over Lady Shenandoah. The son of Shamus Award looks capable of improving further with that run under his belt.

Evaporate ($7.50) will be looking to go one better than last year after finishing runner-up to Transatlantic in the 2025 Toorak Handicap. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding returned to winning form in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown two starts ago before finishing ninth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He should appreciate returning to 1600m and has drawn ideally in barrier two, with Blake Shinn taking the ride. The five-year-old carries 58kg but has the class to feature prominently.

Changing Colours ($8) is one of the most interesting runners in the field, chasing a fifth consecutive victory for trainer Lucy Yeomans. The progressive mare has continued to raise the bar this preparation and comes into the race following a Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) victory. She faces her toughest assignment to date but gets into the handicap with just 52kg, making her a fascinating contender against the established Group 1 performers.

Other chances include Warnie ($10), who has drawn barrier one with Mark Zahra aboard, and Sabaj ($10), who has the ability to produce a strong finishing burst. Feroce ($15) is another capable of improving at the mile, although barrier 15 presents a significant obstacle. With several runners possessing genuine winning claims, the Toorak shapes as one of the most intriguing betting contests on the programme.

The Toorak Handicap boasts a rich history dating back to 1881, with some of Australia's finest gallopers featuring on its honour roll. Recent winners include Transatlantic, Antino, I'm Thunderstruck and Fierce Impact. Antino produced one of the race's most memorable performances in 2024 when demolishing his rivals by six and a half lengths. Saturday's edition is the last of the three Group 1 races and is Race 9 on the programme, following the Caulfield Guineas

Evaporate and Hellsing are mapped to settle closest to the speed, with Evaporate particularly well placed from barrier two. Regal Award is expected to settle just behind the leaders from barrier four, while Lady Shenandoah, Feroce and Sun God are positioned in the midfield division.

Changing Colours is mapped to settle midfield-to-backmarker from barrier eight, with Salty Pearl, Too Darn Discreet and Welcometotheshow also expected to race in that part of the field. Sabaj, Warnie, Von Hauke, Pondalowie and Panova are among those projected to settle towards the rear.

There does not appear to be an abundance of genuine early speed, which could make positioning particularly important. Evaporate looks well placed to take advantage of his inside draw, while Regal Award should be able to secure an economical run just behind the pace. Lady Shenandoah may need some luck from barrier nine, and those settling further back, including Changing Colours and Sabaj, will be hoping for sufficient tempo to bring their finishing bursts into play.

It’s a wide-open Toorak Handicap and I’m keen to look for some value with Salty Pearl at double-figure odds. She has had two runs this preparation and does tend to take a couple of starts to find her best, with her latest effort a solid fourth in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. She now returns to Caulfield, where she was a dominant winner over the track and trip when fourth-up during the autumn after the blinkers went on, and they go back on again here. She also produced a career-best performance third-up last preparation when finishing third behind Pondalowie in the Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, improving around two lengths on her previous benchmark figures. With just 52kg on her back she won’t know herself, and she has the tactical speed to settle on pace or within striking distance. In a very open race, she looks a terrific chance at the price.

Absolutely love what Welcometotheshow has produced through the latter stages of 2025 and into his current campaign. He had a long preparation in the second half of last year, stringing together four wins before perhaps reaching the end of his tether when he failed to measure up in stronger races at Caulfield and Flemington. It took him a couple of runs to find his best this preparation, but he improved sharply third-up when winning over 1400m at Flemington, producing a performance more than 14 lengths faster than standard benchmark. He profiles nicely for a Toorak Handicap with only 52.5kg on his back, should be getting close to his peak now and draws ideally in barrier 6. In a very open race where there are cases to be made for plenty, he looks a terrific each-way play at the price.