Epaulette landed his first Stakes winner thanks to an impressive effort by the filly Meryl in the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on 30 December.
Meryl, Epaulette’s 25th winner from 70 runners, scored her sire’s second success from his first Australian crop, following Katy’s Daughter who scored earlier this month.
A $150,000 purchase at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale, Meryl raced her way into calculations for the A$2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic on January 13 with a victory achieved despite suffering interference in the final 200m.
A three-quarter brother to Darley stallion Helmet, Epaulette was a dual G1 winner in Australia whose first European crop yielded 23 winners in the 2017 season.
Meryl’s breakthrough victory came at her second start and was achieved in brilliant style after she had to sharply alter course as she began a run that ultimately carried her to a three-quarter length victory over Hopes Eternal.
Meryl, who was bred by Mr N Hodges, is from the winning Made Of Gold mare Academy Idol and is her fourth winner from six foals to race.
