Trainer Toby Edmonds instructions to apprentice Matt McGillivray to have Mr Epic closer in the run have had the desired effect at the Gold Coast.

At his previous start Mr Epic was beaten a head when second over 2000m at Doomben.

Edmonds felt that McGillivray had been outridden by Michael Cahill on the winner when he allowed him to get a break on him in the middle stages.

However, McGillivray followed the instructions to the letter on Saturday and had Mr Epic camped on the leader until the home turn in the NHP Electrical Engineering Products Handicap (1800m).

Mr Epic came away in the straight to beat Tap This ($13) by a length with a half length to Hollywood Bound ($15).

Edmonds said Mr Epic would always be a horse who would be hard to beat once he got to the lead in his races.

“Matt rode him perfectly today,” Edmunds said.

“He is a very tough horse to get past. Tap This had a perfect run and was entitled to run past him but he was too tough.”

Plans to run Mr Epic in the NSW northern rivers Cup races will be scrapped and Edmonds is now looking to the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (2200m).

“He will need to get a wild card to make the field but if he can get into it the race would be ideal,” Edmonds said.

Mr Epic gave stallion Husson, who stands at Aquis Farm, a double as his son Gatlinburg won the previous race.

By Mark Oberhardt

GOLD COAST , Aug 26 AAP