The Chris Munce-trained Saint Patricks Day became the first Australian winner for Excelebration (IRE) when successful at the Sunshine Coast on April 9 and he now becomes his sire's first stakes winner after finishing powerfully to capture Saturday's $100,000 UBET Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Saint Patricks Day was Munce's second stringer in the race after Ours To Keep who ran fifth at his first start back from a spell.
Ridden by Ronnie Stewart, Saint Patricks Day finished strongly to beat Capital Gain (Ad Valorem) by a long neck with another one and a half lengths back to the favourite Snitzkraft (Snitzel).
"He was too immature to set for the Magic Millions Classic but he has really come on strongly. He won very well at Caloundra first up and I gave him a great chance today," Munce told AAP.
"I couldn't believe it when they bet $61 early on. I even tipped him as a top chance in a radio interview on Friday so it was no shock."
The Group II Champagne Stakes in a fortnight followed by the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes and Group I J J Atkins Stakes are all on the agenda for the son of Excelebration (IRE).
"I think he is well and truly up to the 1600 metres of a Group One race like the Atkins," Munce said.
A $55,000 purchase by his trainer from the Goodwood farm draft at book 2 of the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale, Saint Patricks Day is the second foal of the very handy
Proven Thoroughbreds / John Thompson Racing paid $70,000 for
Four-time Group I winner Excelebration (IRE) (photo Mark Smith) shuttled to Coolmore for four seasons however patronage suffered last year when covering 49 mares and he is not scheduled to return in 2017.
In the northern hemisphere, the son of Exceed And Excel is the sire of the very smart Barney Roy who captured the recent Group III Greenham Stakes at Newbury for Godolphin.
