Inquiry Makes it 173 Stakes Winners for Exceed And Excel

Mark Smith - Saturday June 27

Former Godolphin resident Inquiry has covered plenty of miles with five different trainers and the ultra-consistent son of Exceed And Excel had his moment in the sun in Saturday’s Listed Spear Chief Handicap at Doomben.

Ryan Wiggins brings Inquiry back to scale (Racing Qld)

Ryan Wiggins brings Inquiry back to scale (Racing Qld)

With Ryan Wiggins in the saddle, the John Smerdon-trained gelding led at every call to defeat Scallopini (Snitzel) by one and a quarter lengths with a further one and a half lengths back to Right Or Wrong (Manhattan Rain) in third.

The Darley homebred had three trainers at Godolphin alone before being sold to Australian Bloodstock for $80,000 at the 2018 Spring Thoroughnred Sale.and sent to Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan. From there he went to the Jared Whelow at Rockhampton, after he was purchased on Inglis digital for $30,000, where he built a formidable record of four wins and a second from five starts before he was sent to  John Smerdon at the Gold Coast.

However, it will only be temporary as he is due to head back to Whelow according to Wiggins.

"He's always been a front running type. I know over the years there's been times where he's just gone too hard and burnt out late, but he actually pinched a couple of cheap furlongs today and enjoyed the big weight drop," Wiggins said.

"After I was able to steady him mid-race and knowing I was only carrying 54kilos I thought he was going to be pretty hard to beat.

"I know him quite well and he always hits a little bit of a flat spot at the top of the straight but picked up again nicely.

"He's got a great winning record this horse, John's (Smerdon) done a great job with his lately and I think he's headed back North for races like the (Rockhampton) Newmarket now."

Exceed And Excel (Mark Smith)

Exceed And Excel (Mark Smith)

With his first stakes success, Inquiry advances his record to 10 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $255,495.

A half-brother to the stakes-placed Cloak (Medaglia d'Oro), Inquiry is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Lonhro mare Screen whose seven ins included the Group III ATC Golden Pendant Stakes.

 A half-sister to the 5-time Listed stakes-winner Brannigan (Flying Spur), Screen died in 2018. Her final foal is the unraced 2yo Teofilo (IRE) filly Mashrabiya.

Inquiry becomes the 173rd stakes-winner for Exceed And Excel who will stand at a fee of $132,000 at Darley Stud in the new season.

Race Result - Spear Chief Hcp LR 1350m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:18.42
1
Inquiry
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Screen (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J Wehlow Rdr: R Wiggins 55.5
2
1.3
Scallopini
- 5g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Steven O'Dea Rdr: Boris Thornton 59
3
2.8
Right Or Wrong
- 8g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Impulsive Lass (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L J Gough Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54
4
2.9
Twitchy Frank
- 5m Choisir (AUS) x Red Pixie (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ms T Harrison 54
5
3.0
Bargannon
- 5g Elzaam (AUS) x High Express (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: David Vandyke Rdr: Jake Bayliss 54
6
3.1
Chapter And Verse
- 5g Rothesay (AUS) x McFly (AUS) (Perugino (USA))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: Taylor Marshall 56
7
3.6
Spectroscope
- 7g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Diamondrella (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: Natalie McCall Rdr: Ryan Maloney 56
8
6.1
Star Reflection
- 7m Time Thief (AUS) x Dawn To Dusk (USA) (Son Of Briartic (CAN))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 54.5
9
9.4
Ready For Danger
- 6g More Than Ready (USA) x Element Of Danger (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: R Fradd 54
More Reading...
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Four in a Row for Kiwi Bred 3YO Taken
Three-year-old gelding Taken is proving quite the money spinner for connections, with a victory in Saturday’s Rod Johnson Handicap (1620m) at Flemington the fourth in succession for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper.
Second Time Lucky As Flash Ahh Wins Ipswich Cup
Having finished third in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) back in 2021, rising 10yo Lucas Cranach (GER) gelding Flash Aah was back for another attempt on Saturday, winning the staying feature as part of the Troy Pascoe yard.
Tassie Derby Winner Strikes Form at Flemington
Four-year-old Bold Soul returned to winning ways at Flemington, where he again emphasised his depths of stamina, repelling the challenge of Goldenstatewarrior and Muktamil under apprentice jockey Thomas Prebble.
Cork Wins Tauranga Classic
After hard-luck stories in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) in both of the last two winters, Cork made amends in style on Saturday with a $22 upset in the fillies and mares’ feature.
Second Stakes Success For More Than Ready’s Oughton
The well-travelled Oughton (More Than Ready) added Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) to his previous success in the Listed Tattersall's Recognition Stakes, off the back of a tendon injury which put an end to his stint in Hong Kong.
Headley Grange Gives Exosphere 11th Stakes Winner
A model of consistency with 17 top four placed finishes from 18 starts, Joe Pride’s 4yo Exosphere gelding Headley Grange stepped up to black type race for the first time with instant success, winning the $200,000 Listed ATC Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.