3 minute read

Epic Dan will be one of two runners for Greg Hickman as he plots another Midway Handicap assault.

Having captured a slice of history by winning the inaugural Midway Handicap, trainer Gregory Hickman will attempt to maintain his perfect strikerate with two entries in Saturday's edition at Randwick. 

At first glance, his charges present with very different profiles, Get The Idea being a relatively lightly-raced gelding still improving, while Epic Dan is a 71-start veteran. 

However, the pair have one thing in common – both came to the trainer as tried horses. 

Epic Dan has posted a trio of city victories since arriving at Hickman's yard 18 months ago, while Get The Idea has raced just once under his banner for a first-up win at Warwick Farm. 

The performance took Get The Idea's fresh record to three starts for as many wins and he has been equally effective second-up, a statistic not lost on his new conditioner. 

"He's got a pretty good first-up and second-up record," Hickman said. 

"He's done well in between when he won at Warwick Farm to Saturday. I wouldn't change anything." 

Epic Dan has a strong fitness base and comes into Saturday's 1200m race off the back of a last-start fourth to Taksu. 

He enjoys rain-affected tracks and will carry 57kg after the claim of apprentice Brock Ryan. 

While Keagan Latham has opted to stick with Get The Idea over his stablemate, Hickman is not so sure the jockey has pulled the right rein. 

"All I know is I'm happy with both of them going to the races, I'm happy with both of them on the track and whichever jockey that rides them the best will determine which horse is there at the finish. 

"In saying that, Keagan sticking with Get The Idea - he's ridden Epic Dan a lot - would be an indication. 

"But I love beating jockeys that have made the wrong decisions."