Trainer Tony Gollan has some big decisions to make in the next 24 hours after his filly Epaumada earned a place in next week’s Karaka Million in New Zealand.
The Karaka Million is run at Ellerslie and is New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race in which Queensland horses have had considerable success.
Epaumada had been 21st on the order of entry but easily made the Karaka Million field with her win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The filly had been favourite in early betting but drifted to $4.40 before beating Bigboyroy ($8) by 1-1/2 lengths with 1-1/4 lengths to Arnwood ($3.40).
Gollan admitted he was not sure which way to go with the daughter of former Group One winner Epaulette.
“The next 24 hours will tell the tale. She needed to win well today to justify a trip to New Zealand and she has done that,” Gollan said.
“But it means getting her on a plane to Auckland next week and she will want to pull up well to earn that. But it is a big race and she is up to that class.”
Gollan took the unusual step of taking Epaumada to a provincial meeting at Gatton to win her first start.
“I have been a bit behind with her and that race suited her campaign,” he said.
Winning jockey Brad Stewart said Epaumada would be further improved by the effort after switching off in the last 50m.
