
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.