The mare Machine Gun Gracie, successful in last year’s WA Oaks–WA Derby pairing, showcased elite form again via a stunning run in the Group 3 $250,000 Epona Stakes (1900m) on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.
As a fresh addition to brothers JD, Ben and Will Hayes’ Lindsay Park yard, Machine Gun Gracie broke through for her maiden win in almost 12 months since the Perth feats – with expectations of more elite targets looming.
“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.”
Market drifter at $17, Machine Gun Gracie demolished her field, securing the Epona Stakes by two lengths from Polymnia ($5.50), Placid Pearl ($101) grabbing third narrowly.
Godolphin-owned Pinito, the $2.60 top pick, raced outwards on the turn and dropped to a poor ninth. This victory represented Machine Gun Gracie’s second for the Hayes team after spells with Perth handler Justine Erkelens.
Erkelens keeps a stake in the mare’s ownership syndicate and watched from the stands as she cruised to Epona Stakes glory.
“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.”
Jockey Luke Currie settled Machine Gun Gracie smoothly before unleashing her devastating sprint to the wire.
“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.”
Visit betting sites to find racing odds for Epona Stakes contenders.
