breednet.com.au

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...
Starlust Retired - Riverstone Lodge Next Stop
Zoustar’s brilliant Group I winning son Starlust (GB) has been retired following his excellent close up fourth in the Group I King Charles Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot last month.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 2
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 1
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Older Milers and Stayers- No Wonder Owners Look Overseas
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 26 Group I races won by older horses at a distance of 1600m or more and they were won by 17 different horses with Via Sistina (IRE) and Mr Brightside (NZ) the only horses to win G1 races as sprinters (less than 1600m) and also as mile/middle distance/staying horses.
Impressive Maiden Success For Close Relation To Champion Filly English
Darley’s Too Darn Hot appears to have another promising filly on his hand in the shape of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Tomato Toastie who broke her maiden by more than two lengths at Warwick Farm, winning the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1200m) at just her second start.
Winning Hat Trick for So You Think Filly
So You Think has ticked over $12million in seasonal earnings with 150 plus winners including seven stakes-winners and while Covert Thinking is not among the luminaries by her sire, this tenacious 3YO has won three on the trot and landed her first metro victory on Wednesday.
G1 Older Sprinters- Are Our Sprinters the Best in the World?
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
One To Watch – Sandown
One of three unraced runners in the field of six contesting Sandown’s opening race, the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1300m), it was the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Savabeel filly Savannah Chill (NZ) who came out on top on the Lakeside track.
G1 Winning Champion 2YO Velocious to be Offered on Inglis Digital
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) will be offered for auction in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale.
One to Watch – Ireland
We look at a lot of race results at Breednet and when a three year-old half-sister by Wootton Bassett (GB) to Australia’s champion sire elect of 2025, Zoustar, breaks her maiden that is always going to catch our attention.