THE teak-tough Epona Plays bagged the first pattern race of the domestic season as a display of considerable courage and determination enabled Willie McCreery’s charge to carry the day in the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes.

As a four-year-old the Renzo Forni-owned daughter of Australia had to give away a considerable amount of weight to the classic generation and she was also lumbered with a Group 3 penalty with left her carrying 10st 2lb. However, her ability to cope with the testing ground stood to her and she was not found wanting when it mattered.