Richly bred Epaulette added more firepower to Darley Australia’s two-year-old squad chasing autumn riches when he left leading Magic Million contender Fundido in his wake at Rosehill on Monday.
A half-brother to the three-time Group One winner Helmet, Epaulette confirmed he was a potentially serious racehorse in his own right with a clear-cut win in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1200m).
Richly bred Epaulette added more firepower to Darley Australia's two-year-old squad - Photo by Steve Hart
After working early to find his place outside the leader, Epaulette ($8.50) surged to the front at the 300m before beating Sherocksmyworld ($5) by 1-1/4 lengths.
Victorian youngster Henia ($10) was a short neck away third with Fundido, the $1.75 favourite, winding up fifth, almost three lengths from the winner.
Trainer Peter Snowden has already wheeled out multiple two-year-old winners this season including Applegate and he is reluctant to single out Epaulette for special attention.
“We’ve had a few nice ones already this year,” Snowden said. “It’s too early to say about this horse but he’s won his first start so he’s got to be up there.”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy also put Epaulette in the top bracket of Darley’s youngsters but his rating also came with some caution.
“He’s definitely one of the top ones so far but it’s hard to get a line on them after just one run,” McEvoy, who won this year’s Golden Slipper on brilliant colt Sepoy, said.
Snowden said time would be against giving Epaulette another start if he wanted to have the colt in peak condition for next year’s autumn carnival.
“I think I’ll give him two weeks off now and then bring him back and aim for the better races,” he said.
“To keep him going between now and when the good races come around in February and March would be too long.”
While Helmet’s immaturity caused the Darley camp moments of angst en route to Group One success last season, Epaulette has been a model performer.
“He is quite tractable and very sensible but today was a good learning curve and he’ll get a bit out of (his first trip to the races),” Snowden said.
Fundido, who occupied a lofty position in Magic Millions betting going into Monday’s race, was pocketed midrace behind the leader and was momentarily held up in the straight until a run presented from the 200-metre mark.
Nevertheless, his finish lacked the zip of a potential Magic Millions winner.
“He was unlucky in as much as he didn’t get the run when he needed it,” jockey Glyn Schofield said.
“But when he did get the run, the others sort of ran away from him.”
AAP TURF
