Toorak Handicap 2026 Betting Odds - Three-Way Battle at the Top
The Toorak Handicap, a longstanding Group 1 mile race at Caulfield, is shaping up as a wide-open contest for 2026. Early betting has Sabaj, Planet Red, and Well Written leading as $8 co-favourites with BetRight. All three are promising four-year-olds, with Well Written undefeated and targeting her first Australian spring run. The Toorak Handicap boasts a prestigious history, consistently attracting elite milers. Its outcome often influences form for other spring features, emphasizing its importance in the racing calendar.
- Sabaj, Planet Red & Well Written are $8 joint favourites for the 2026 Toorak Handicap
- Toorak Handicap is a historic Group 1 mile race, attracting elite and emerging milers
- Outcome may impact other key mile and spring carnival races
Transatlantic winning the 2025 Toorak Handicap. (Getty)
The Toorak Handicap shapes as one of the more open Group 1 races of the Melbourne spring, with the 1600m handicap to be run at Caulfield on Saturday, October 10.
Sabaj, Planet Red and Well Written share favouritism at $8 with BetRight in an early market headed by a trio of progressive four-year-olds.
Sabaj enters the spring with his first-up assignment set for the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29, having pleased Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in a recent Pakenham jump-out behind Sheza Alibi.
The lightly raced galloper has continued to progress through the grades and shapes as an interesting handicap prospect should connections elect to head towards the Toorak later in the preparation.
Stablemate Planet Red is also quoted at $8 and has already had the Toorak Handicap specifically identified as one of his major spring targets.
The son of Admire Mars went desperately close to Group 1 success as a three-year-old, finishing runner-up in both the Caulfield Guineas and Australian Guineas, and trainer Mick Price believes the Caulfield mile should suit him ideally this spring.
Planet Red is expected to resume alongside Sabaj in the Memsie Stakes before progressing towards the longer spring features.
Unbeaten New Zealand mare Well Written completes the trio of $8 favourites after putting together an outstanding three-year-old campaign.
The Stephen Marsh-trained mare won all six starts last season, including the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and several of New Zealand’s leading three-year-old features, and is expected to resume in the Proisir Plate at Ellerslie before connections consider an Australian spring campaign.
Her unbeaten record and proven mile form make her an obvious early Toorak contender.
Toorak Handicap 2026 Betting Odds
| Runner | Win Odds |
|---|---|
| Sabaj | $8.00 |
| Planet Red | $8.00 |
| Well Written | $8.00 |
| Belle Cheval | $11.00 |
| Sass Appeal | $11.00 |
| Evaporate | $11.00 |
| Warnie | $15.00 |
| Private Eye | $15.00 |
| Treasurethe Moment | $15.00 |
| Sepals | $15.00 |
| Pericles | $15.00 |
| Lazzura | $15.00 |
| Lady Shenandoah | $15.00 |
| Idle Flyer | $15.00 |
| Ceolwulf | $15.00 |
| Autumn Boy | $15.00 |
| War Machine | $15.00 |
| Pride Of Jenni | $15.00 |
| Angel Capital | $15.00 |
| Others | $26.00+ |
Odds courtesy of BetRight & correct on 24/08/2026.
Toorak Handicap History
The Toorak Handicap is one of Australia’s most prestigious mile handicaps and has been a fixture of the Caulfield racing calendar since its inaugural running in 1881, when Josephine claimed the first edition.
Contested over 1600m, the race has long been an important target for high-class milers, with its handicap conditions regularly bringing together established Group 1 performers and emerging spring stars.
Its honour roll includes some outstanding names in Australian racing, including Gunsynd, The Trump, More Joyous and Typhoon Tracy, highlighting the quality and versatility traditionally required to win the Caulfield feature.
The Toorak was elevated to Group 1 status in 1979 and remains one of the benchmark handicap races of the Melbourne spring, with its form often carrying through to other major mile and weight-for-age contests later in the carnival.
The most recent winners are Attrition in 2023, Antino in 2024 and Transatlantic, who claimed the 2025 edition.
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