Seven-year-old Epona Miss may have won only two races but trainer Dean Saxon isn't afraid to let her take on the best summer stayers in the Bagot Handicap at Flemington.Quoted an outsider at $61 in Thursday's feature, Epona Miss has had only modest success in her 67 starts but Saxon says she is capable of adding to the growing number Bagot upsets."At 2800 metres I am not scared at all," Saxon said. "I will take them all on so long as the ground is dry enough."Others will be going in with doubts

Seven-year-old Epona Miss may have won only two races but trainer Dean Saxon isn't afraid to let her take on the best summer stayers in the Bagot Handicap at Flemington.

Quoted an outsider at $61 in Thursday's feature, Epona Miss has had only modest success in her 67 starts but Saxon says she is capable of adding to the growing number Bagot upsets.

"At 2800 metres I am not scared at all," Saxon said. "I will take them all on so long as the ground is dry enough.

"Others will be going in with doubts about the distance but she (Epona Miss) will be there when they start dropping off at the 250 metres."

Since 1990 there have been six Bagot winners at odds between $26 and $51 and Epona Miss is coming off a desperately unlucky last start third to Also over 2500m at Morphettville on December 20.

"She should have won easily in Adelaide the other day," Saxon said.

"She was stopped to a walk 100 metres from home when she got sandwiched just as she was going to get through and win."

Saxon said the Bagot had been a long range mission for Epona Miss and that with her last run she earned the chance to complete the plan.

"It has certainly been on the radar for while," Saxon said.

"She is an old fashioned true stayer and the longer distances like 2800 metres, 3200 metres are her go."

A daughter of 1994 Melbourne Cup winner Jeune, Epona Miss has Candy Top as her second dam who is a half sister to champion galloper Dulcify who had the 1979 Cox Plate and the Victoria-AJC Derby double among his list of achievements.

Saxon has engaged Michelle Payne for Epona Miss but he admits she will have to ride the mare for luck from barrier three.

"She is a mare who gives you whatever she's got," Saxon said.

"There is only one way she can win and that is to keep poking up behind the leaders and keep taking the cheap runs through.

"She has just got to stay in tight and weave through and hope for the lucky break."

Saxon said Epona Miss should get her chance in the last 250 metres.

"That is when there is nowhere to hide and they will start dropping off," Saxon said.

"The gaps can open up and she can get through."

Saxon said it was usual for him to make 1000km round trips from his Mount Gambier base to find suitable races for Epona Miss but he has never lost faith in the little mare.

The journey to Flemington will be as long as ever but it won't feel as far on the way back should Epona Miss happen to win her third race on Thursday.

"Every mile will be worth it if she can pull this off," Saxon said.