The Epsom Handicap is now firmly on the agenda for talented four-year-old Drumbeats who got his career back on track with victory in the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill after almost a year on the sidelines.His jockey Kerrin McEvoy survived a protest from Glyn Schofield on the runner-up Rangirangdoo but the pair found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger with stewards after a fighting finish.Both were suspended for careless riding but neither misses a Saturday meeting.Lining up for his second st

The Epsom Handicap is now firmly on the agenda for talented four-year-old Drumbeats who got his career back on track with victory in the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill after almost a year on the sidelines.

His jockey Kerrin McEvoy survived a protest from Glyn Schofield on the runner-up Rangirangdoo but the pair found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger with stewards after a fighting finish.

Both were suspended for careless riding but neither misses a Saturday meeting.

Lining up for his second start this campaign after a virus kept him out of the autumn, Drumbeats was a $7.50 chance in the Group Two Shannon (1500m) on Saturday with betting dominated by O'Lonhro ($2.70 fav) and Rangirangdoo ($2.90).

McEvoy had hoped to be able to get a sit but took Drumbeats to the lead and controlled the pace.

Rangirangdoo joined him in the straight and the pair had the last 200 metres to themselves.

After a hard grind during which they raced tight and briefly came into contact, Schofield fired in an objection against McEvoy which was quickly dismissed.

"It may have been a blessing in disguise that he missed the autumn," Snowden said.

"He will definitely go to the Epsom now, it's full steam ahead.

"Strat's Flyer didn't get across like we thought so Kerrin had no option but to lead and that's not his usual pattern.

"But he toughed it out at the end."

Strat's Flyer ($8) finished 2-3/4 lengths third after getting a bump in the straight while O'Lonhro found little when asked for an effort finishing fifth.

The margin between Drumbeats and Rangirangdoo was a short half-head but McEvoy said he felt he had the upper hand inside the final 50 metres.

"The other horse was hanging in and impeding his own run," McEvoy said.

"We bumped earlier in the straight but it was minimal and we had him at the end."

O'Lonhro was the Epsom Handicap favourite before the Shannon and his jockey Jay Ford said he should be forgiven.

"I wouldn't give up on him," he said.

"The tempo didn't suit and they left him flatfooted."

Rangirangdoo's trainer Chris Waller, who celebrated a double earlier in the day, said his Epsom candidate was also not suited by the way the race was run.

"It's not his pattern but he still ran very well and he heads to the Epsom," Waller said.

But nothing could take away Snowden's joy at seeing Drumbeats back to record his second win from just six starts.

"He is a very talented horse and hopefully he can go on with it now," he said.

Last spring, Drumbeats finished an unlucky second to Heart Of Dreams in the Listed Winning Edge (1400m) at Caulfield.

Heart Of Dreams is now a leading Cox Plate chance after claiming Saturday's Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

McEvoy and Schofield will begin their respective two and three meeting suspensions after next Saturday's George Main Stakes meeting and return for the Epsom Handicap a week later.