Epic Dragon will put his Caulfield Guineas credentials on the line at his next start following an impressive win in the Spotless Handicap (1500m) at Moonee Valley today.

A stakes winner at Flemington as a two-year-old, Epic Dragon sat off a hot speed and show great tenacity late in the race to hold off the Danny O’Brien trained Muchos Respectos.

The result was delayed for a few minutes when James Winks, rider of the runner-up, threw in a protest against the winner for interference over the concluding stages – but stewards quickly dismissed the objection.

The winner is prepared at Kyneton by John Sadler for a large group of owners headed by Troy Corstens’ Newmarc Syndicate.

“John actually wanted to be here today but he had to take up a few to gallop at Bendigho this morning so he left is up to me,” Troy Corstens said.

“John has really done a good job with this horse.”

“I questioned him at the start of the week, I was just worried about the step up from 1200 to 1500 metres, but he had a lot of faith in the horse he’s trained him to the minute.”

“There’s still improvement in him.”

“When that thing took off, I would have liked it to have stayed there a bit longer  – it might have given us a bit more of a cart into the race.”

“It was probably forced to do a bit more then we wanted to do.”

Corstens said Epic Dragon would almost certainly have his next run in the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley and from there they would decide whether he would tackle the Caulfield Guineas.

Connections are also eyeing off the Victoria Derby with the lightly raced, but highly promising prospect.

Epic Dragon is yet another impressive spring carnival performer who’s graduates from last year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

He was purchased from the draft of Emirates Park for just $25,000 by Troy Corstens at the Belmont based auction.

As it stands the colt has two wins from just four starts and earnings of $105,850.

The brown colt is son of the Danehill’s Australian Guineas winning son Al Maher – one of four stakes winners her’s produced so far.

His dam, the unraced Canny Lad mare Top Tips, has been represented by four runners for three multiple winners including the seven time Macau winner Optical Prize.

Top Tips is a half sister to Palace Symphony, a former classy three-year-old who was second in the Bill Stutt Stakes and Caulfield Guineas, prior to establishing himself as one of the country’s top ‘chasers.

Another graduate of last year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to make an impact in Melbourne over recent weeks is Sistine Angel.

That filly, prepared by Andrew Noblet, won the Group Three HDF McNeil Stakes at her most recent start and is on track for the Group One Thousand Guineas.