A blistering final 400 metres has presented smart galloper Epic with his second straight victory when he claimed the Cyril Gilbert OAM Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Epic sat handy to the speed in his last win at Doomben on March 23 but the five-year-old had to do it from the back after he began slowly.
Jockey Michael Cahill remained calm, letting Epic find his feet in his rearward position while a decent speed prevailed up front.
Cahill eased his mount wide rounding the home turn before waiting until Epic gained his balance in the straight before asking his mount for an effort with 300 metres to run.
Epic let down brilliantly when Cahill asked him to quicken. The son of Stratum passed half the field in the space of 100 metres before descending on the leaders with 100 metres to travel.
Epic forged clear late to score by a length to continue his progress towards good races during the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival.
The win was Epic’s fourth from 20 starts and the $32,000 winner’s cheque took his earnings to just shy of $150,000.
Congratulations to Epic’s owners – R P & Mrs P J Townsend, Miss K T Townsend, Miss M A Townsend, R A Lindsay, T W Marskell, J Mead & Socks Synd (Mgr: C K Blackett) , J Townsend.
© MiStable 2013