Epona earns breakthrough win

Epona Plays gained a deserved victory when running out a game winner of the second division of the fillies maiden at Gowran.

Willie McCreery 's charge had to overcome a wide draw in the mile contest but was soon in a nice position behind the leaders.

Billy Lee asked the 5/2 favourite to challenge two furlongs from home and she edged ahead from Lady Anner over a furlong out.

The Australia filly stuck to her task well in the closing stages to post a half length success.

Epona Plays had been placed on her last two outings and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Dolce Strega as well as the Listed placed Bumbasina.

“She deserved that. She's a grand filly and it's great for Renzo Forni, that's the fourth one of the family I've trained and they've all won for me,” said McCreery.

“The other two fillies were black-type so if we could try and get this one some black-type before the end of the year as well it would be brilliant.

“I was trying to be greedy at the start of the year a couple of times but finally she's won and I'm delighted.

“She's still learning the trade. Billy was happy with her there, he said she galloped all the way to the line and liked that ground so we won't be too worried about the end of the year with her.

“I think she has enough experience now so we'd only be wasting her in a winners race and might try and nab some black-type wherever we can.

“She's had three hard races in the last three or four weeks so I won't be too greedy now.”