Impressive Epaulette Debut Winner

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday June 26
Darley's Epaulette keeps producing smart winners and delivered a debut three year-old winner at Randwick on Wednesday in Covert Operation that looks to have a bright future.

Covert Operation as a yearlingA big long striding gelding, he has been given plenty of time to mature by Jason Coyle and was a short priced favourite in the 1150 metre maiden.

Ridden patiently by Jason Collett after the jump when he refused to settle and pulled hard, Covert Operation surged home through the heavy conditions to score a neck win.

"He did a lot more wrong that I anticipated," said Jason Coyle.

"He overcame that though and was strong to the line. There looks to be a quality horse there."

A $55,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for Familia Nominees Pty Ltd / Homann Bloodstock, Covert Operation was re-offered at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale but passed in shy of his reserve.

He is the fourth winner from imported More Than Ready stakes-winner Well Hidden (USA) and is the 54th winner this season for Epaulette, whose winners include an impressive six stakes-winners.

A dual Group I winning son of Commands, Epaulette is well priced this spring at Darley at a fee of $27,500.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding to Win – 2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas
The Golden Rose is loud in the conversation these days - but the time honoured G1 Caulfield Guineas still speaks with authority to the notion of a “sire making” race for three year olds - because it is run at the true Classic distance.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Joe Pride has already prepared a stakes-winner for Godolphin in blue-blood Lonhro colt Attica and he unleashed a debut winner for them by I Am Invincible at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
First win for Tassie MM Sale-Topper
The top priced offering at the 2018 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale was a lovely colt by Epaulette that fetched $100,000 and he opened his account with a stylish win at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
Epaulette Filly Aryaaf Blows Them Away in Ottawa Stakes
Seven years ago Shadwell Stud’s two-year-old Shamardal (USA) filly Bulbula won the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes for trainer David Hayes and did not win another race in 13 starts, so the same connections will be hoping that Bulbula’s daughter Aryaaf can build on her hugely impressive debut in the Group III Darley Ottawa Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Anders Colt Goes Two for Two
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and Anders three year-old Young Mister Grace has some big shoes to fill, but made it two wins from two starts when scoring at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
I Am Invincible Colt Tops Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale
A colt by champion Yarraman Park Stud stallion I Am Invincible topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale when selling for $550,000.