Epona Stakes falls to impressive Machine Gun Gracie
Last season's WA Oaks-WA Derby victor Machine Gun Gracie rediscovered her best with a commanding performance in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Epona Stakes (1900m) held at Rosehill Gardens.
Recently transferred to the Lindsay Park stable managed by JD, Ben and Will Hayes brothers, the mare notched her first success post her Perth double from close to 12 months back – signalling potential for additional high-profile victories.
"She's got plenty of X-Factor,'' Jd Hayes said.
"We'll have a good chat and debrief with the team and the connections here, have a few cold ones and enjoy today. Then work out where we're going, because I think a mare of her calibre, we will have plenty of options."
Starting at $17 in betting, Machine Gun Gracie distanced her opposition decisively, taking the Epona Stakes by two lengths ahead of Polymnia ($5.50) and with Placid Pearl ($101) right behind in third.
Favourite Pinito from Godolphin, at $2.60, drifted wide on the corner and faded badly to ninth. Machine Gun Gracie's win came in her sophomore appearance for Team Hayes, previously prepared by Justine Erkelens in Perth.
The former trainer holds onto part ownership of the mare and was present trackside during the Epona Stakes romp.
"They saw our facilities (Lindsay Park) and thought it would really suit 'Gracie', so we're just very lucky in that regard that she got sent our way,'' Hayes said,"She's gone from strength to strength and she's got plenty of upside. We've always had a high opinion of her and it's good to see her convert here today."
Luke Currie piloted Machine Gun Gracie with a patient ride, enabling her explosive late charge to dominate.
"In Perth she raced on speed and was really strong but last time she was a bit sticky out first-up and I just rode her quietly from there,'' Currie said.
"But she had the barrier extension on today because she's so big she doesn't fit in the gates so well. She gets very uncomfortable and I thought that's what happened last time.
"She still didn't begin the fastest, so I had to just give her a little nudge, but she got there and switched straight off and pricked her ears. She always travelled nice and kind, off a nice tempo, and was always going to be hard to beat."
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