Veteran mare Epingle is on track for a Brisbane Cup swansong after her upset win in the Chairman’s Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Epingle started the rank outsider at $21 but swept past the $3.70 favourite Index Linked in the final 100m to win by a half length with Volkhere ($9) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Trainer Mick Kent decided to bypass the major staying races during the autumn carnival in Sydney to concentrate on easier assignments in Queensland with the mare.
“This is her last preparation before she goes to stud in the spring and the Brisbane Cup looks an ideal race for her to bow out,” Kent said.
“Since she’s been up here she’s really thrived and this race is a good stepping stone for the rest of the carnival.”
Kent admitted he was surprised by the lack of interest shown by punters in Epingle but wasn’t surprised by the result.
“She was runner-up in the Zipping Classic and fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup during the spring but no one gave her much of a chance today,” he said.
Kent said Epingle would have her next start in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16 before her ultimate goal, the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.
Jockey Hugh Bowman said the seven-year-old ended up in an awkward spot after initially settling in second place in the early stages.
“I was a little concerned when the pace slacked and she got shuffled back but she showed a bit of class and tenacity to get me out of a spot where I didn’t really want to be,” he said.
