A drop in grade and a step up in distance proved the key to Messenger who bounced back from her last in the Coolmore Classic a week ago to win the Listed Epona Stakes at Rosehill.The Anthony Cummings-trained four-year-old claimed her third victory from 14 starts when she took control of the race early.Although Walk In The Park ($26) got to the lead comfortably, Damien Oliver had Messenger ($4.40) camped on her rear in what the jockey said was the ideal place to be despite her pulling early.Olive
A drop in grade and a step up in distance proved the key to Messenger who bounced back from her last in the Coolmore Classic a week ago to win the Listed Epona Stakes at Rosehill.
The Anthony Cummings-trained four-year-old claimed her third victory from 14 starts when she took control of the race early.
Although Walk In The Park ($26) got to the lead comfortably, Damien Oliver had Messenger ($4.40) camped on her rear in what the jockey said was the ideal place to be despite her pulling early.
Oliver steered her to the front in the straight and Messenger held off the challenge from Pagan Princess ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length.
"I'm sure she would be better with cover but Damien judged the situation perfectly," Cummings said.
"It's nice to see her get the opportunity to get the trip.
"She will come back to 1600 metres for the Emancipation at Randwick and hopefully get to the Brisbane carnival as well."
The Group Two Emancipation Stakes is at Randwick on April 24.
Cummings planned to step Messenger up to 2000 metres in the spring but she had to be withdrawn from the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington after she jarred up in training.
Jessicabeel ($4.20) ran on from the back of the field to finish a half-length behind Pagan Princess after missing the start.
"We were aware she would be slowly away but she just stood there when the gates opened," jockey Blake Shinn said.
Stewards did not put a bar on Jessicabeel and said they would leave it to trainer John O'Shea to do some remedial work with the mare.