Back on his favoured firm surfaces, the four-year-old Exceed And Excel gelding Pounding is in the form of his life and lowered the course record with his first stakes success in the TS Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
Ridden by Jamies Kah for Peter Moody, Pounding picked them off one by one in the straight to defeat the veteran So Si Bon (So You Think) by two lengths Sunshine Rising (FR) (Myboycharlie) a short-head back in third.
It was the third consecutive win for the son of Exceed And Excel, advancing his record to seven wins, five seconds, and two thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $538,290.
Peter Moody was trying to whip up a bit of interest or the gelding in the All-Star Mile.
“Terrific win. Congratulations to Wylie (Dalziel) and the team,” Moody said.
“It is important for the breeders to get a Group III on the resume.
“He’s racing in great heart, and Jamie gave him such a sweet ride, and he’s just really in the zone. I thought I saw a few telltale signs that he might have been coming towards the end of his prep - ears back and a little bit cantankerous which isn’t usually him - but he’s made a mug out of me, thankfully.
“It would have been a long day without him.
“I think we kicked him off back in July on wet ground, and he was probably lucky not to end up in a tried horse sale or online auction, but we decided we’d ride this out and look for good ground.
“It took us six months to get it, but just racking them up with a fair bit of ease. Onwards and upwards.”
Bred by Rosemont Stud, Pounding failed to make his $120,000 reserve at the National Weanling Sale and again when falling short of his $220,000 reserve at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
He is the best of two winners from four to race out of the Beat Hollow mare Silent Entrance (GB), which was sold by Rosemont to Stuart McPhee for $5,000 at the 2021 Inglis July (Early) Online Sale.
A half-sister to Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Promising Lead (Danehill) and the Group III winner and multiple Group 1 placed Visit (Oasis Dream), Silent Entrance (GB) has a filly foal by Blue Point (IRE) and visited Extreme Warrior last spring.
Pounding is the 205th stakes-winner for Exceed And Excel.
