Toorak Handicap
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 Uncle Sam, 1912 winner | |
| Class | Group 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1881 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Hyland Race Colours (2025) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,600 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Maidens ineligible |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $1,000,000 (2025) |
| Bonuses | Winner exempt from ballot in the Caulfield Cup |
The Toorak Handicap is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run as an open handicap race, over a distance of 1,600 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1] Currently, the prizemoney is A$1,000,000.
Name
The race is held annually in October on Caulfield Guineas day, the first day of the MRC Spring Carnival.
During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse.[2]
The G1 1400 metre Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, held three weeks earlier under the same handicap conditions at Caulfield is considered the predominant lead up race. Thoroughbreds which perform well usually follow up by entering the G1 Cantala Stakes on Victoria Derby day.[3] Some of the classier thoroughbreds do extend in distance and are successful.[1]
- 1886–1980 - Toorak Handicap
- 1981–1984 - The IXL
- 1985–1989 - The Elders Mile
- 1990 onwards - Toorak Handicap
Distance
- 1886–1890 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
- 1891 - 11⁄8 miles (~1800 metres)
- 1892–1971 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
- 1972 onwards - 1600 metres
Grade
- 1886–1978 - Principal Race
- 1979 onwards - Group 1
Double winners
Thoroughbreds that have won the Toorak Handicap – Caulfield Cup double:
- The Trump (1937), Royal Gem (1946), Galilee (1966), Tobin Bronze (1967), Leilani (1974).[4]
1922 and 1948 racebooks
1922 VATC Caulfield Guineas front cover
1922 VATC Caulfield Guineas officials & visitor notices
1922 VATC Toorak Handicap page starters and results
1922 VATC Toorak Handicap page showing the winner, The Tyrant
Back cover showing railway arrangements and admission fares
1948 VATC Caulfield Guineas racebook front cover
1948 VATC Caulfield Guineas officials & enclosure notices
1948 VATC Toorak Handicap page starters and results
1948 VATC Toorak Handicap page showing the winner, Saxony
