A heady ride by apprentice Matt McGillivray has helped Mr Epic win at Doomben and earn a crack at the northern rivers Cups circuit.

The DA Ernst Open was being run at a jog on Saturday and Mr Epic ($3) was in the middle of the field when McGillivray elected to take off and sit outside the leader, Courageous Rock.

Despite being challenged by several horses in the straight, the gelding held on to beat King Viv ($5) by three-quarters of a length, with Monteux ($111) a long head further back in third.

Mr Epic had previously not won past 1600m but trainer Toby Edmonds was confident the four-year-old would handle the 2000m.

"He was bit flat-paced at his last start at 1600m and we thought he was looking for the 2000 metres," Edmonds said.

"It was a clever ride by Matt but Mr Epic did have to make two runs so it was a strong effort."

Edmonds said Mr Epic's owners lived in NSW's northern rivers region and he was keen to chase the Cups circuit there.

"There are a few races for him coming up - the Lismore Cup, Taree Cup, Port Macquarie Cup and the like," Edmonds said.

McGillivray said it had been a strong effort by Mr Epic because he had not been suited by the slow early pace.