The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn produced their first winner of Golden Slipper Day, with Osmose (+180) justifying the short quote to claim victory in the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Zoffany was well-backed into favouritism after a terrific first-up effort in the Group 3 Aspiration Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago, and she never looked in doubt courtesy of a stellar steer by Tim Clark.
He managed to find the back of stable companion Howgoodareyou (+500) throughout the duration of the 1900m trip, getting the economical run throughout.
They went along at a steady tempo throughout, as Rebel Rama (+6000) moved up to sit outside the leader, allowing James McDonald to cross to the one-one position aboard Thalassophile (+600).
When Clark asked for the ultimate effort, Osmose loomed up and put two lengths on Thaslassophile, who tried hard but was simply no match for the Waterhouse & Bott galloper, who was already off and gone with the prize.
2024 Group 3 Epona Stakes Replay – Osmose
Adrian Bott was on course to discuss the win of his mare in the aftermath, crediting her consistency since arriving in Australia.
“Full credit to the mare,” said Bott.
“She is deserving of a stakes win like that. She has been very consistent since she arrived here in Australia, and it’s good to get a stakes win for all connections.
“She had been around the mark, she just needs this sort of trip and she got it today.
“I’ve always wanted to keep her in mares’ company, whether we can look to change that around now or whether she is sharp enough to come back to a Queen Of The Turf Stakes, a strong mile at Randwick.
“There’s not a lot around for mares, whether we could be tempted by something like that or whether we’ve got to step into open company over a bit of ground, we’ll assess off today.”
Tim Clark spoke post-race and spoke to the frustration that his mount has only now broken her Australian maiden.
“She’s been a mare that’s been somewhat frustrating in the fact that she hasn’t won a race here but, to be fair, she hasn’t had a few things go her way,” said Clark.
“There have probably been two races where she’s been most suited and that was the race at Flemington, she just narrowly got beaten, and today, where she was able to win.
“It’s probably a long-range plan that’s paid off and now that she’s got a win on the board hopefully she can go on with it.”
Osmose is currently listed as a +2500 chance with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) on April 13.
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