Rediener wins the Epsom Handicap (G1)

Jockey Kathy O’Hara enjoyed her third career Group 1 lunging late in a thrilling 2023 Epsom Handicap (G1) to secure the mile classic aboard the in-form Chris Waller-trained Rediener.

Four-year-old Rediener went around as an underrated $9.50 hope in this year’s Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap(1600m) despite a last start win fresh in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) on September 16.

He franked that form with a lovely on-speed run in the Royal Randwick feature on Saturday getting to the line just in time to hold out his fast-finishing stablemate Kovalica ($10).

“When he (Rediener) won in Queensland we set him for this race, but setting horses for races is not easy,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-victory.

“But to see him win like he did first-up it gave us a little bit of hope and the barrier draw (gate 2) was obviously a plus.”

Golden Mile looked like he was going to lead from barrier to box off a gun ride by Blake Shinn with the galloper hitting another gear on the straight before being nudged out right on the line by Waller’s two.

The winter’s Queensland Derby champ Kovalica improved on his first-up run when unplaced in the Theo Marks slashing home wider out late in a good sign as he gets over more ground this spring.

Golden Mile was brave holding for third in the Epsom Handicap trifecta.

Waller was thrilled for O’Hara and equally as happy to take home his fifth Epsom Handicap trophy.

“Very special for Kathy (O’Hara), Charlie’s (Duckworth) wife. It’s great, Kathy is just an amazing toiler. Sydney racing 52 weeks a year she just gives it her best, amazing horse person. Gives you great feedback, she lives on a horse. Charlie is obviously so close to me,” the now 152-time Group 1 winning trainer said.

Rediener was bred by Kitchwin Hills and his dam Wiener was purchased by Badgers Bloodstock for AU$600,000 at the MM National Sale.