The Lee Freedman-trained Sleepers has won the opening race at today’s Caulfield Guineas Day, the $70,000 Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria Handicap (1200m).

Jumping well from the inside barrier one, Canny Lad colt Sleepers was ridden brilliantly by jockey Steve Arnold going to the front early, controlling the tempo and hanging on in a courageous all-the-way win.

Sleepers paid $11 through [sportsbet], and in the end narrowly defeated the $2.80 favourite Mac Chois with That’s Not It a gallant third.

The top three placegetters were close in a blanket finish, but beat the rest of the field convincingly.

Sitting second behind Sleepers the entire race, the Grahame Begg-trained Mac Chois just didn’t have the turn of speed on the bend to get up and with about 450m to go Sleepers really quickened and finished his perfect front running ride with the win.

It was a good start to the day for the Darley stables with their honest horse, Sleepers now having won three of his seven career starts, today’s prize money boosting his total career earnings to nearly $100,000.

The next race on the card at Caulfield today is Race 2 – the Harrolds Fashion Plate due to jump at 12:35pm, where Drenalin is the $3.30 favourite to win.

For the hottest odds on all the Caulfield races today, make sure you place your wagers online at [sportsbet]!

2010 Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria Handicap Results