JOCKEY Paul Francis may not want to get too enthusiastic just yet but after being involved in Epic’s growth and development he feels the bay filly will be one to watch in the Classic series of races.

Epic, a bay filly bred by Casual Trick out of the Film Director mare Global, made a winning start to her career in a Maiden Condition offering for native-bred three-year-olds over 5 furlongs (1,000m) round on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Epic, who led from the start, defeated Slam Dunk (Dane Dawkins) by a neck with a time of 1:02.2 for the distance.

“With this filly here this is a very pleasing moment for me. It is also a very long narrative story as well with Epic as I am the one who has schooled this horse from the beginning up until now,” Francis revealed.

He continued: “Every morning I am aboard her and, trust me, I went through a lot of tribulations with this filly, so winning aboard her is one of the most glorious moments. I love her so much because she is a decent horse. She listens, she is quiet, and I have her as a Classic contender.”

Breaking from the number one barrier, Epic shot to the front and held the lead ahead of Mr Fete (Romario Spencer), Blinkin Light (Oshane Nugent), Slam Dunk, and James (Omar Walker) riding the half-mile (800m) turn.

Epic opened up a bit on the field approaching the distance and then withstood the late challenge from Slam Dunk in deep stretch to register her first career win from her first start. James finished in third place.

Trainer Edward Stanberry said he was pleased with his charge’s effort and that Epic will try the hot waters next in The Portmore scheduled for May 6 over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m), the final major prep race before the Classics begin.

“I am pleased with the win. I was confident that she would be a winner here [as] she was well prepared and she is a good horse. Epic is going to show her worth later on, with her next race being The Portmore,” he said.