Epic set to turn form around at Doomben

Wednesday 15 July 2015, 11:16am

Epic turned in a rare poor run at the Sunshine Coast, but his trainer has put that down to the track and can see him winning the Tattersall's Mile at Doomben.

The seven-year-old gelding has not won this winter but he has been very consistent apart from a well-beaten sixth at the Sunshine Coast over 1600m two weeks ago.

Trainer Kelly Schweida believes it is a miracle Epic is racing at all.

"He is a tough old bugger. He bowed a tendon early in his career and then he got badly galloped on in the 2013 Lord Mayor's Cup and missed a year's racing," Schweida said.

"The fact he has won nine races and more than $360,000 in prizemoney is a testament to his toughness."

"In his 38 starts he has put in only two poor runs and one of those was at his last start at the Sunshine Coast," Schweida said.

"He has a 50 per cent place strike rate and a 23 per cent win strike rate but Epic has a swag of races where he has been in the fourth to fifth placings after having no luck."

Schweida said the Sunshine Coast track could be tricky when drying out from heavy rain.

"The track was sticky and that didn't seem to suit him. He couldn't pick up and sprint with the others. It was most unlike him and I think Doomben will suit him better," Schweida said.

Epic has performed well on softish tracks and Doomben is likely to have the sting out of it on Saturday.

Schweida would love to see Epic win a stakes race before his racing days are over.

"He has been stakes-placed three times but he deserves to be a black type winner," he said.

"He isn't getting any younger and while he will race on after Saturday it is getting close to his last chance to win one."

Meanwhile, Schweida's class mare Discreet could be having her last start in the Tattersall's Racing Club Open (1200m).

Discreet, who has won eight races and $516,000 in prizemoney, showed a return to form when she ran third in an open at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago.

"She is booked to stallion I Am Invincible. Saturday might be her last race but she could have another one in a fortnight."

"But she has to be at the stud in August so retirement isn't far off.

Schweida's promising filly Golden Falls will have her next start in a three year old over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday week.

Schweida will decide on a trip to Sydney or Melbourne with Golden Falls after the Sunshine Coast run.

– AAP

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