ESPIONA was the name on many racing enthusiasts’ lips at the beginning of the Sydney Autumn Carnival and although continuous wet tracks meant that her preparation didn’t quite go as we had all hoped, the filly will go out on a high following her dominant 4.5 lengths win in the Group 3 James HB Carr Stakes over 1,400 metres at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

She jumped fairly from the barriers and settled with three behind her early in the run where she travelled in a comfortable rhythm one off the fence. Jockey James McDonald allowed ESPIONA to move through her gears from the 600 metres mark and they tracked into the race nicely around the home turn. James angled her into the clear on the famous Randwick straight and when he pushed the button, she let down brilliantly. ESPIONA will now go out for a well deserved break and we eagerly look forward to the Spring.

Congratulations to the winning ESPIONA owners Leon Mugavin, McLeish Family Racing (Manager: David McLeish), Felgate Holdings (Manager: Paul Felgate), Peter Aukstinaitis, Anne Hickey, Boeara Holdings (Manager: Denise Dunphy), Paramount Racing (Manager: Kathryn Wood), Martin Ive, Rachel Ive, Macedon Park Pty Ltd (Manager: Margie Sheldon), Dianne Handley, CGO Racing.