Godolphin’s Exceed And Excel gelding Bacchanalia loves to get his toe in the ground and found conditions to suit in Wednesday’s $150,000 Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m).
Bacchanalia does best in a driving finish (image Steve Hart)
It was a welcome back to Australia for Chad Schofield who was a late replacement for Rachel King.
Travelling sweetly one out and one back, Bacchanalia chased down the game I Am Invincible filly Authentic Jewel who only surrendered her lead in the closing stages to go down by a long-neck.
The royally bred I Am Invincible gelding King Of Sparta indicated he was on track for the Magic Millions 3yo Classic with a solid-finishing third.
The winner of all four of his starts on a wet track, the James Cummings-trained Bacchanalia advances his record to four wins and a third from nine starts with earnings of $284,900.
Godolphin representative Darren Beadman said that gelding had been the making of Bacchanalia.
“He showed a lot of potential, but he was always full of himself,” Beadman said.
“He has turned it around and is now a lovely racehorse.
“He jumps and puts himself in the right spot. I said to Chad before the race to have confidence in the horse and don’t worry if the leader gets away from you because he will hit the line.
“He has taken it to the next level. We always believed he was stakes class. It was a copybook ride by Chad and commiserations to Rach.”
A welcome back winner for Chad Schofield (image Steve Hart)
Bacchanalia is a brother to the Listed BRC Mick Dittman Plate winner Aquitaine and a three-quarter brother to Group II ATC Magic Night Stakes and Listed Gimcrack Stakes winner Calliope.
He is the third winner from as many to race out of the Medaglia d’Oro (USA) mare Thalia who failed to win in four starts, although placed in there including the Group III Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.
Thalia has not had a live foal since Bacchanalia and missed last year.
Bacchanalia becomes the 191st stakes-winner for Darley Stud’s flagship stallion Exceed And Excel.
The son of Danehill (USA) has 26 yearlings catalogued for the Gold Coast and one at the Inglis Classic.
