G1 Goals for $750,000 Exceed and Excel Colt

Media Release - Sunday March 17

Reminiscent of his impressive debut, two-year-old colt Equinox once again showed his liking for the Trentham track with a hard-fought victory at the venue on Saturday.

Equinox - image Trish DunnellA $750,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis at the 2018 National Yearling Sale, Equinox was not comfortable on slow ground in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) last time at Matamata, after making a winning debut over 1000m at Trentham in January.

Replacement rider Michael McNab, who secured the mount when Troy Harris was stood down after being dislodged a day earlier at Te Aroha, bounced Equinox away quickly to dictate the play from in front.

Asked for a serious effort at the top of the Trentham straight, Equinox extended his advantage before holding out a strong late challenge from impressive Cambridge raider Holy Mongolemperor, who stormed home from last to be denied by a long head.

Ellis, who purchased the colt as a member of the three-strong 2018 colts breeding syndicate from his 2018 Karaka purchases, is looking forward to the son of Exceed And Excel tackling the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on March 30 as his next assignment.

"It's a great thrill for my owners in the Colts' Syndicate because he's now won two of his three starts and all going well, can go on to contest a Group One in a couple of weeks," he said.

"We'd like to see good ground for him in the Sires' and ride him with a bit of cover.

"It was great for Michael to pick up the ride because he's been riding a lot of work for us and my policy is to put those on that ride the work."

Trainer Jamie Richards was also delighted with the run.

"I said to Michael, I'd like to see him tuck in but it may not be the day to do that and he got a nice soft lead," he said.

"He'll be a better colt when he's ridden with cover and give him something to chase.

"He probably still wants the track a little better again (for the Sires'), but we're heading into the autumn and the horse is going well. I thought Michael gave him every chance and the second horse had trialled really well, so I think the form will stack up."

For McNab, the win continued his good form on the course after riding three winners on Wellington Cup Day in January.

"I know a fair bit about him and go over to ride for Te Akau, so I knew him well enough," McNab said.

"He's still only three parts there and doesn't really know what he's doing, but he's a got a real presence about him, a really cool horse that knows he's pretty cool.

"When he puts it all together, he could be very good."

Equinox is now rated a $12 chance for the Sires' Produce in a market headed by Group One winning stablemate Yourdeel at $2.40. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Best On Breeding
Placed behind subsequent Melbourne Cup heroine Empire Rose in the New Zealand Oaks, Eau D'Etoile (Sir Tristram) became that rarest of broodmares with three Group 1 winners and a Listed stakes-winner to her credit on the way to earning Broodmare Of The Year status and that should have been her crowning achievement.
15th G1 Winner for Exceed and Excel
Turning 20 this year, Darley’s champion sire Exceed and Excel has just finished a super successful Magic Millions Sale that saw him with 24 yearlings average $398,542 to be the third leading sire by average and in South Africa on Saturday he posted a 15th Group I winner.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1.8 Million Exceed and Excel Colt from G1 Winner Platelet
A protracted bidding duel marked the sale of Lot 640, a powerhouse colt by Exceed and Excel from dual Group I winning sprinter Platelet with Hawkes Racing prevailing over a persistent Coolmore.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.