Trainer Peter Snowden almost apologised for Epaulette after his narrow win in Sunday’s Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).
He will probably be doing the same after the colt’s next start in the Group One Caulfield Guineas.
Epaulette winning the Beck Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
The colt who announced himself with victory in the Group One Golden Rose in Sydney at his previous start looked to have little more to give in beating the recent maiden winner Let Go Lenni.
But Snowden explained that Epaulette had a habit of switching off after reaching the lead.
“He’ll only chase what’s in front of him,” Snowden said.
“It’s the same in trackwork, he’ll chase them down and then ease up when he hits the front.”
When he runs in the Guineas on Saturday week, Epaulette will have the super colt Pierro to chase – which means he will probably be doing a lot of it.
The Prelude result enhanced Epaulette’s Guineas credentials slightly and Pierro’s dramatically.
The Snowden-trained colt is in to $7 from $9 while Pierro has been slashed from $1.70 to $1.40, having firmed from $2 before his Stutt Stakes win at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
“Pierro’s certainly set a strong benchmark,” said winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
“He’s the measuring stick,, he’s a great horse.”
Epaulette ($2 fav) turned a performance more workmanlike than dynamic, collaring the leader Let’s Go Lenni 100m out and grinding it out to score by a half-neck.
Let Go Lenni ($18) held off Awesome Bro ($8.50) to take second by a long neck.
Both placegetters will also line up in the Guineas over 1600 metres.
By Commands out of Accessories, Epaulette is a half brother to Helmet, winner of both the Prelude and the Caulfield Guineas last year.
Helmet has since been retired and has begun stallion duties at Darley’s Northwood Park Stud in Victoria.
