The Epsom Handicap meeting will usher in the latest generation of babies with the first of the new-season two-year-olds to step out in the Gimcrack Stakes and Breeders’ Plate.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace won last year’s Gimcrack (1000m) with Enthaar and they will again saddle-up the popular favourite Coolangatta, an impressive winner at the official juvenile trials last month.
Peter and Paul Snowden will start second pick Drisana, who did a good job to win her heat at the same trial session and will be ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy.
McEvoy was impressed with the daughter of first season sire Merchant Navy and says she is mature for her age.
“She’s an early going two-year-old and she’s really well put together,” McEvoy said.
“She almost looks like a three-year-old. She is really strong and I think that will put her in good stead.
“She trialled up nicely and rounded the trial off really well a couple of weeks ago.
“Coolangatta is the talk of the town but you never know what can happen in these two-year-old races.”
The Kacy Fogden-trained Victory Moments holds market sway for the Breeders’ Plate on the back of his two trial wins in Sydney and the Gold Coast, but rival jockey Hugh Bowman is keen on the chances of his mount.
He rides Not A Single Doubt colt Narnia for Annabel Neasham and says the youngster felt like a natural athlete when runner-up to Saturday’s rival Psychiatrist in his 855m heat.
“I think there’s good improvement to come out of him from the trial,” Bowman said.
“He’s got a real two-year-old attitude. He’s very natural.
“I can see him really running a big race in the Breeders’ Plate.”
Bowman is chasing his third Breeders’ Plate (1000m) victory after claiming it aboard Charge Forward in 2003 and Performer in 2017.
Bowman and Neasham will also team up in the Gimcrack Stakes with Mumbai Jewel, a daughter of top stallion I Am Invincible who was runner-up in her Kensington trial.