Dundeel Colt Epimeles Chases Black-Type Following Winning Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday March 27

The 2-year-old Dundeel colt Epimeles will likely jump straight to stakes company after making an impressive career debut in the Sportsbet Fast Form Hcp (1300m) at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.

Making a statement on debut (image Pat Scala)

Ridden by John Allen for Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Epimeles found himself locked in on the fence behind the leader Invincible Beau in the five-horse field. When that son of Brazen Beau rolled off the fence, Epimeles quicked impressively to defeat the Saxon Warrior debutant Signor Bill by one and three-quarter lengths with a further two lengths back to Invincible Beau.

“He looked like he would be stiff for room, but when Robbie Lang’s horse came out, we got a nice rails run,” Natalie Young said.

“He is a big, green,raw horse with a good turn of foot.

“We have a high opinion of him but thought he might be exposed with just two 800m jumpouts.

“It’s great for Seymour Bloodstock. We have been rapping this horse up for a little while now.

Listed Anzac Stakes on the radar (image Pat Scala)

‘The Anzac Stakes over 1400m may be a nice race, three weeks between runs. We will see how he pulls up and then make a plan.”

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Ohukia Lodge/Mark Pilkington Management (FBAA) purchased Epimeles out of the Evergreen Stud Farm draft for $130,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Epimeles a $130,000 Magic Millions yearling

He is the first foal of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Apicius, a three-quarter sister to the Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2014-15, Thewizardofoz and a half-sister to stakes winner Oz Empress (Exceed And Excel) and Group III-placed Key (Exceed And Excel).

Apicius is a daughter of Vanilla Empress (Lonhro) a half-sister to multiple Group III winner Argentia (Frankel) out of the Champion 3YO Filly in NZ. Champion Older Female & Stayer in NZ, 4-time Group 1 winner Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago).

Plenty to look forward to (image Pat Scala)

Apicius has a yearling colt by So You Think, who left the ring unsold at the Adelaide Magic Millions after failing to find a buyer willing to meet his $50,000 reserve.

After foaling an Ole Kirk filly last spring, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice was covered by Maurice (JPN). 

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Race Result - Sportsbet Fast Form Hcp 1300m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:18.39
1
Epimeles
- 2c Dundeel (NZ) x Apicius (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: John Allen 58.5
2
1.8
Signor Bill
- 2g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Zuccotto (AUS) (Quest For Fame (GB))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 58.5
3
3.8
Invincible Beau
- 2c Brazen Beau (AUS) x Rose Pattern (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R E Laing Rdr: M Zahra 57.5
4
5.5
Ponte Arcobaleno
- 2c Castelvecchio (AUS) x In The Clear (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ben Brisbourne Rdr: Declan Bates 57.5
5
9
Captain Hilfiger
- 2g Proisir (AUS) x Royal Era (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Peter Gelagotis Rdr: Ben Allen 58.5
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