Quiet ride key for Yellow Brick in 2025 Epsom Handicap
Queensland’s Tony and Maddysen Sears are chasing a marquee win at Randwick, with Yellow Brick the state’s lone representative in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (160m)—the perfect curtain-raiser to the Broncos’ NRL grand final clash with Melbourne on Sunday.
Yellow Brick’s late surge to split the winner and the rest in the Stradbroke Handicap stamps him as a live chance if he sees a similar race shape, according to co-trainer and trackwork rider Maddy Sears.
His latest run in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) was more forward than ideal with 59.5kg, yet he battled on to be within three lengths, suggesting he’s in the zone.
“He raced way too close in his last start,” Maddy Sears said.
“We weren’t disappointed. It was probably the best he’s ever finished being up on speed.
“He can’t finish off like that, especially with that weight.
“We’re hoping he gets the same run he did in the Stradbroke. He was very good in the Stradbroke so hopefully that happens again on Saturday.”
Down to 55.5kg and drawn 11 in the Epsom Handicap (1600m), he’ll likely be ridden quieter to unleash late. Stabled in Sydney since his last start, his work has been spot on.
“He is ready to go. He had a really good hitout (on Tuesday) morning in company. I’m really happy with him and he has come through the run really well,” she said.
The Epsom draws several with Brisbane winter credentials: New Zealander Pier, successful in The Wayne Wilson (1600m), Queensland Guineas winner Depth Of Character, and Verona Rose, who was midfield in the Queensland Oaks (2200m).
With Kolding (2020) and Private Eye (2022) completing the Queensland Guineas–Epsom double, Depth Of Character’s camp is bullish about their long-laid plan.
“He is building nicely and we’ve set him for this race. It’s not an afterthought,” Archibald said.
“I think he’s a great chance. We’ve all got to beat the favourite (Autumn Glow) but she’s got a hurdle to overcome with the draw, although she is certainly the benchmark.
“But it’s an Epsom, it’s a handicap and we’re there on the minimum with a horse who loves the mile.
“He’s a Guineas winner over a mile. He ran second in The Coast over a mile. He wasn’t too bad that day in the Guineas but he is a much better horse now than he was then.”
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