G3 Goal for Exceed and Excel Filly

Media Release - Wednesday November 25

Tough is a word that comes up several times in conversation with Otaki trainer Johno Benner when talking about his talented filly Key.

The Exceed And Excel three-year-old, a A$550,000 yearling purchase for owner Gary Harding last year, steps up to stakes company for the first time in Thursday's Gr.3 Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki.

Key is stepping up to Black Type company ion Thursday - Race Images

"I can't complain. She's going great," said Benner, who trains with his partner Hollie Wynyard.

"We've had a fair bit of rain down here so we might be racing on a slow track but that shouldn't worry her. She won trials on heavy tracks and she goes on anything. She's just tough."

Benner also uses "tough" to explain that it hasn't always been an easy road getting Key to this point in her career where TAB bookmakers have installed her a $3.20 favourite for Thursday’s race.

"She's a grumpy filly and she's had her quirks with the barriers but we think we've got that under control now," he said.

"She's just tough, both physically and mentally. She's a really strong filly and that's coming across in the way she races."

A dual trial winner before racing, Key ran out a three-length maiden winner at Otaki on debut last month before a valiant second to Naval Fleet at Awapuni in her only start since.

"She's very good. Even though she got beaten the other day, she did an amazing job from the wide draw and it still took a good one to beat her," Benner said.

"We'll see how the track plays but she’s got terrific gate speed so she should be right there behind the speed and then Danielle (Johnson, jockey) can pick her time to go. She'll take some beating," Benner said.

Safely through Thursday's race, Benner will look to the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on December 12 for Key's next start.

Advertisement

"The Eulogy is in three weeks and that's the natural progression. If she can secure some black type, it will add value to an already valuable filly," Benner said.

"Long-term, we'd like to think she could be an Oaks filly. Her second dam is Princess Coup, who won an Oaks so there's no reason why she can't get the trip."

Benner and Wynyard will also saddle emerging stayer Shakespeare and maiden galloper Wononeohwon at the meeting.

"The rain is a big plus for Shakespeare. He likes to get his toe in the ground and he's drawn a lovely marble for early in the day. He's a progressive stayer," Benner said.

The couple's weekend focus will be on Ellerslie runner Montre Moi, who tackles the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) as a possible precursor to the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at the same track on January 23.

Benner and Wynyard produced Scott Base to win the Karaka Million 3YO Classic in 2018, having given him a previous look at the track when he placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) the prior season.

"For Montre Moi, it's good to give him that trip away and get a look around there. He'll be all that much better for the experience," Benner said.

"We'll get to see how he measures up as well. The clock says his win at Otaki first-up was very good. We think he's a good hope on Saturday but we just want to see him strong late."

Benner said they would assess Montre Moi's run at Ellerslie before deciding whether he goes straight into the Karaka Million 3yo Classic or has another run at the races or trial beforehand. - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.