Top Sydney trainer Peter Snowden will be brimming with confidence heading towards Queensland’s richest race with his crack three-year-old Epaulette sure to top updated Stradbroke Handicap betting markets after their impressive 2013 Doomben 10,000win.

Doomben 10,000 winner Epaulette will back-up in the Stradbroke Handicap 2013 in two weeks' time. Photo: Daniel Costello.

The classy Commands colt became a dual Group 1 winner bursting through their rivals to give the three-year-olds yet another elite level victory this season in the $650,000 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) adding to his Golden Rose triumph from the spring.

After a blistering first-up second to the mighty Black Caviar in the TJ Smith Stakes in April many hadn’t yet forgiven Epaulette for their sixth behind All Too Hard in the All Aged Stakes last start over the 1400m at Randwick.

Snowden however was happy to forget that effort and it was back in the winners stall today with Epaulette running an awesome race fresh in Brisbane.

“I put that run behind him…it was just a great race, a really super, super race…against the best company in Australia,” Snowden said.

The trainer was most happy with the horse’s last 200m today believing that ability to finish off so powerfully will help him in the Stradbroke.

“Within the last 200 metres he really flew…the last 200 was fantastic to watch,” Snowden said.

The key for their trainer will be to now keep Epaulette fresh enough for another big run in the $1.65 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.

“Probably his best runs have been when he’s really fresh so I’ll be keeping a close eye on that,” Snowden said.

“He’s got a really dynamic turn of foot when he is fresh and we’ll need that.

“He’s a three-year-old and it’s been a fantastic race for them…they just keep winning these big races.

“Let’s just hope there’s one more left in him.”

Prior to their Doomben 10,000 triumph Epaulette was rated a $7.50 in the Stradbroke Handicap odds trailing BTC Cup winner Your Song ($4.20).

Anthony Cummings’ Fastnet Rock colt Your Song however is sure to lose their position at the top of the Stradbroke markets after finishing out of the money in the Doomben 10,000.

In a huge effort from last year’s Doomben 10,000 winner the John O’Shea-trained Sea Siren looked back to her best at Doomben finishing a slashing second while Rob Heathcote’s perennial Group 1 placegetter Buffering finished off the trifecta in third.

Lining up in their 15^th Group 1 assignment Buffering began brilliantly after playing up in the barriers, the Mossman gelding going forwards early.

Buffering held their spot at the top of the field sitting about a length off the favourite Your Song.

Sea Siren however started to move up into fourth nearing the turn and then third coming into the straight challenging the leader.

The local star was still in front at the 200m but Epaulette and jockey Kerrin McEvoy were starting their move, the eventual winner bursting up through the middle before bolting away to fulfill a dream for the winning hoop.

“It’s a real dream to win this race especially in the Darely colours,” McEvoy said.

“This fellow put up a great effort today.

“He let go today he just flew it was great to be a part of it.

“He’s got the tools there…today going through them he flew.”

McEvoy is now very much looking forward to getting them up over the 1400m at Eagle Farm in the Straddie.

“It’s going to be right up his alley,” he said.

“Looking forward to that race now.”

In a sad turn for another runner Chris Waller’s veteran galloper Rangirangoo broke down at the top of the straight and had to be put down.

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2013 Doomben 10,000 Results & Finishing Order

Doomben Race 8 – 25/05/2013