Epic ride by McGillivray at Doomben

AAP - Saturday July 29

A heady ride by apprentice Matt McGillivray has helped Mr Epic win at Doomben and earn a crack at the northern rivers Cups circuit.

Advertisement
Trainer Tony Edmonds continues his Epic run. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The DA Ernst Open Handicap (2000m) was being run at a jog on Saturday and Mr Epic ($3 fav) was in the middle of the field when McGillivray elected to take off and sit outside the leader, Courageous Rock.

Despite being challenged by several horses in the straight, the gelding held on to beat King Viv ($4.80) by three-quarters of a length, with Monteux ($12) a long head further back in third.

Mr Epic had previously not won past 1600m but trainer Toby Edmonds was confident the four-year-old would handle the 2000m.

"He was bit flat-paced at his last start at 1600m and we thought he was looking for the 2000 metres," Edmonds said.

"It was a clever ride by Matt but Mr Epic did have to make two runs so it was a strong effort."

Edmonds said Mr Epic's owners lived in NSW's northern rivers region and he was keen to chase the Cups circuit there.

"There are a few races for him coming up - the Lismore Cup, Taree Cup, Port Macquarie Cup and the like," Edmonds said.

McGillivray said it had been a strong effort by Mr Epic because he had not been suited by the slow early pace.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
Little Avondale Announce Fees - Little Brose New
Little Avondale Stud created a slice of New Zealand racing history when they successfully brokered a deal to stand Little Brose at their Wairarapa farm.
Winner 9 For Ole Kirk With Aerodrome on Debut
Ole Kirk went clear again at the top of First Season Winners list on Wednesday when the Michael Freedman trained Aerodrome made a tough winning debut at Warwick Farm.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
1.4mil Gns Record at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up - St Mark's Basilica 750,000 Gns
A colt by Acclamation eclipsed the record price for a lot at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when selling to Godolphin for 1,400,000 guineas on the opening day of the sale with a St Mark’s Basilica colt second highest at 750,000 guineas.
Switzerland To Stand Alongside Fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes Winner Home Affairs at Jerry’s Plains
Following on from a phenomenal year in the sales ring, which saw first crop Home Affairs yearlings sell for an aggregate of more than $31 million, fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland will join him in the stallion barn in 2025.
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO - Classic Potential
Interesting racing overnight at Newmarket with a couple of Classic key lead up stakes races for three year-olds and the winners were both first time stakes-winners, one from the family of Sydney autumn carnival staying star Alalcance and the other a homebred Dubawi filly for Juddmonte.
Perle De Chocolat Breaks Maiden
Astern two-year-old Perle De Chocolat has always looked a filly with promise and she got the maiden out of thew way when winning at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Yes Yes Yes It’s Been a Big Week for Kate Nivison!
This time last week passionate owner breeder Kate Nivison was basking in the success of having bred and sold a $1.7million Extreme Choice colt at Inglis Easter and today she was enjoying a different sort of success as a winning owner at Kembla.