Sydney, September 21 – A set of nine two year-old barrier trials were conducted at Randwick on Monday morning with the very first heat won by a striking chestnut son of Golden Slipper winner Stratum in the Greg Bennett trained Epic.
A well-grown flashy individual with four white feet, a star and a snip, Epic turned in a professional performance to win his 800 metre trial by three parts of a length in the time of 47.41.
“He’s a lovely colt and if keeps improving the way he has, we’ll be coming back down here for the Breeders’ Plate (Randwick on October 3), that’s the aim with him,” said his Scone based trainer Greg Bennett.
Retained to race by his breeder Peter Townsend, Epic spent time at Yarraman Park as a youngster and carries our brand. He was consigned to the 2008 Magic Millions Weanling Sale in the Yarraman draft where he passed in just shy of his $40,000 reserve.
Epic is the third foal of the Thunder Gulch (USA) mare Thunder Belle, whose two previous foals are both winners.
A minor winner herself, Thunder Belle is a half-sister to stakes-placed Formal Attire and Rough Chance being from Group One VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Ruffles, the family also featuring boom Melbourne sprinting three year-old Definitely Ready, who is from another half-sister to Thunder Belle.
Also stepping out for the first time in public at these trials was Fastnet Rock colt Hinchinbrook, the last foal of stakes-winner and top class producer Snippets’ Lass.
Foaled and raised at Yarraman Park for his breeder Francis Naude, Hinchinbrook finished strongly to grab third in his heat beaten just over a length and will derive much benefit from the experience.
A three-quarter brother to Group One winning sprinter and promising young sire Snitzel, Hinchinbrook is prepared by by Snitzel’s trainer Gerald Ryan and is held in very high regard by the stable.
