A neck was the margin between victory and second for emerging Gunnedah colt Epic Decision at Coonamble on Monday.
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But you get the feeling there will come another day for Gavin Groth’s promising campaigner going by his performance in a $20,000 Class 2 Handicap (1200m).
Epic Decision, a three-year-old son of Magic Albert, has been in a consistent vein of form without quite being able to land the knockout blow this preparation.
In three runs since resuming, Epic Decision has now posted runner-up efforts at Walcha and Coonamble, sandwiching a game fourth during the Walcha Cup Carnival.
Monday saw a return to the venue where Epic Decision broke his maiden status last October and he was reunited with renowned jockey Greg Ryan.
Starting a $2.30 favourite on track, Epic Decision was given a lovely run in transit and loomed as the winner deep in the straight.
But The Renovation Man peeled off Epic Decision’s back and pounced in the final 25m to seal victory.
Epic Decision, part-owned by the trainer, lifted his earnings past the $38,000 barrier from a 10-start career, featuring one win and four second placings.
He was the lone runner for Groth at Coonamble, but the Gunnedah horseman saddled up three runners in Tuesday’s meeting at Tamworth in Jazzee Nicc, I’m Snazzee and About Time.
Back to Coonamble and it was lean pickings for the other Gunnedah trainers.
Sally Torrens scratched Supreme Goddess, while her two other runners Defying Luck and Stirling Shadow finished last in their respective races.
Sue Bigg’s Husson Princess ran seventh, beaten 12 lengths as a 100-1 shot in the opening 1100m Maiden.
Veteran galloper Just As Dapper finished last in the 2000m Benchmark 60 Handicap.
Like Groth, Torrens had a team of three runners at Tamworth on Tuesday, with her hopes resting upon Dos Santos and two stable newcomers.
Bridget Star, an ex-Victorian contested the opening 1400m maiden, while Ansa, who had two starts at Hawkesbury for Gerald Ryan, tackled a 1200m maiden.
Alex Martyn saddled up Double Threat in the same race.
At Scone on Sunday, Quirindi trainer Scott Thompson had three runners with Exitozo winning a $30,000 Showcase Benchmark 60 Handicap (1450m).
So You Know and Valatia finished midfield in their respective races, while Snipex Abaa is still chasing a breakthrough win after running fourth in a maiden.