Tough staying mare Epingle will push on the Brisbane Cup after scoring a hard fought win in the Group 3 $125,000 Goldcoastwebsites.com.au Chairman’s Handicap (2200m) at Gold Coast today.
Epingle will head to the Brisbane Cup after winning the Chairman’s Handicap at the Gold Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Epingle was having her first run in six weeks but Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent was confident that she would be spot on for a bold showing today.
Kent will now aim Epingle towards the Group 2 $300,000 Evergreen Turf Brisbane Cup (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.
Epingle hadn’t raced since finishing eleventh of twelve in the Group 3 $150,000 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington on March 14 but Kent said that the Pins mare didn’t need a lot of work to have her fir for today.
“I thought she would be second favourite in that race,” Kent said.
“She hasn’t raced for a few weeks, she has been working really well at home. Just the drop in grade and the trip jut suits her.”
“She is a very natural stayer, she doesn’t need much work. If you look at her she is only a light little thing.”
“She had a trial at home before she came up. She has really thrived since she has been her.”
Winner rider Hugh Bowman settled Epingle on the speed and held his position mid race when the back makers moved around the field to put some pace into the race.
The Tony Gollan trained Hi Son led the field into the straight but was quickly under siege from Index Linked ($3.70 favourite) sticking to the inside and Epingle ($21) who surged to the lead at the 250m to score by half a length.
Index Linked stuck on for second with Volkhere ($9) filling the third spot.
The John Thompson trained Tremec ($7) blew the start when he reared just before the gates opened, missing the start by four or five lengths, and after settling at the tail, circled the field mid race only to fade again in the straight.
The well fancied Peter Moody trained Sir John Hawkwood ($4.20) raced midfield but never threatened in the straight to finish seventh.
2015 Chairman’s Handicap Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | EPINGLE (NZ) | Michael Kent | Hugh Bowman | – | 8 | 57.5kg | $21 |
| 2 | 1 | INDEX LINKED (GB) | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 0.5L | 1 | 59kg | $3.70F |
| 3 | 5 | VOLKHERE | Robert Heathcote | Tegan Harrison | 1.8L | 2 | 54.5kg | $9 |
| 4 | 8 | PERPLEXITY | Chris Munce | Luke Tarrant (a) | 2.3L | 6 | 54kg | $9 |
| 5 | 6 | HI SON | Tony Gollan | Jim Byrne | 2.4L | 4 | 54kg | $6 |
| 6 | 3 | TREMEC (NZ) | John P Thompson | Brenton Avdulla | 2.5L | 7 | 57.5kg | $7 |
| 7 | 4 | SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (IRE) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 2.7L | 3 | 55.5kg | $4.20 |
| 8 | 7 | ORIENTAL LADY (GER) | Kris Lees | Michael Cahill | 4L | 5 | 54kg | $16 |
