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By Ray Hickson

Premier jockey James McDonald says exciting filly Espiona’s first-up defeat shouldn’t be held against her as she goes into her biggest test in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Drinkwise Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Jockey James McDonald (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old was run down by stablemate Fangirl as a $1.55 favourite two weeks ago in the Light Fingers and McDonald is putting it down to experience.

He can’t offer a lot in the way of excuses, it’s fair to say Espiona had a reasonably good run in the race, but said it will steel her for the battle ahead.

“She was so gallant in defeat and I thought she would have learned plenty from that experience,’’ McDonald said.

“It was the first tough race she’s had, she’s only had three starts.

“It’s all come very quick and she took on a more seasoned campaigner and just came up short. There’s no doubt in my mind she’s the horse to beat.”

Espiona again holds sway in TAB betting at $2.15 on Friday and the margin between her and Fangirl, who was $13 first-up, is tighter ($4.20).

McDonald said what impressed him about his filly first-up was the fact that when Jamaea challenged her early in the straight she repelled her but he was wary of the winner stalking him.

“I could feel it coming, she just didn’t put Jamaea away,’’ he said.

“She fought Jamaea off and Fangirl was the one closing. It was a huge effort by Espiona.

“She’s well on her way and she came through that race well.”

A heavy track is of course a query for any horse who hasn’t been exposed to one but Espiona’s debut win at Warwick Farm was on a deteriorating soft 6, with rain falling, and she seemed to glide through that without a worry.

McDonald certainly won’t be concerned about wet ground when he’s legged on board Icebath for the first time in the Group 2 $200,000 Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbreds Stakes (1400m).

He has permission to ride 1kg over the 54kg but even allowing for that the mare is very well weighted under the set weights and penalties scale given she carried 57kg to win The Invitation over the same course, on a good track, in the spring.

“I’m really looking forward to her, she’s a great mare who has run some terrific races over her career,’’ he said.

“I think it is a really nice race for her, she is so well placed under the conditions. She gets every favour except for a good gate.”

All going well McDonald will pull on Her Majesty The Queen’s famous silks as he partners Chalk Stream in the Petaluma Wines Handicap (2000m).

Espiona runs second at Randwick on February 12

Formerly trained by William Haggas, the four-year-old has won four of his 10 starts and last raced at Ascot on October 1, when ridden by Tom Marquand, where he finished second over 2847m.

McDonald has given the gelding a couple of easy trials and describes him as a work in progress.

“He’s a nice horse who is a bit enthusiastic and he will appreciate the 10 furlongs, and I think he will enjoy the give in the ground,’’ he said.

“He’s done plenty of work and any horse that’s running first-up over 2000m on heavy ground has a task in front of them.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting