Excelleration Dominant in Launceston Cup

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 28

The punters were right on the ball when they unloaded on Excelleration in Wednesday's $300,000 Group III Launceston Cup (2400m).

Ridden by Harry Coffey for Richard Cully, the lightly weighted son of Excelebration launched down the centre of the track to defeat the Patrick Payne-trained Alhambra Lad (Proisir) by one and a quarter lengths with the Jason Warren-trained Grand Pierro (Pierro) back in third.

Going for his third consecutive win in the race, Aurora's Symphony was going backwards a long way from home.

A lightly raced 7-year-old son of Excelebration (IRE), Excelleration advances his record to six wins, six seconds, and a third from 18 starts with earnings of $425,900.

 Excelleration (image Racing Photos)

It was Harry Coffey's second win in the Cup after Aurora's Symphony in 2022.

"It was similar to Aurora's; he had a good run and was strong late," Coffey said.

"He pulled throughout; he was very strong, but it was his race a long way from home.

Advertisement

"His light weight and class kicked in, and he was too good late despite looking around.

"He made me work for it because I am blowing worse than him.

"Richy is a great horseman and does a tremendous job. He is well known and liked, especially down home where we are."

Excelebration (image Mark Smith)

A bargain basement $6,000 purchase for Emma Scott from the Riverina Downs draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Excelleration is the best of three winners from four to race for the Red Ranson (USA) mare  Rare Subject.

The winner of four races, Rare Subject, was a $6,000 purchase at the 2013 National Broodmare Sale. She has a 2-year-old colt by Vert De Grece (IRE) and missed in 2021.

Excelleration is the 19th stakes-winner for Exceed And Excel's 4-time Group 1 winner Excelebration (IRE), which shuttled to Coolmore Stud for four seasons.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Gr3 2400m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 2:31.53
1
Excelleration
- 7g Excelebration (IRE) x Rare Subject (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Richard Cully Rdr: H Coffey 54
2
1.3
Alhambra Lad
- 6g Proisir (AUS) x Miss Relentless (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: Jye McNeil 55.5
3
1.4
Grand Pierro
- 4g Pierro (AUS) x Le Societe (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Craig Williams 54
Pierro
4
4.4
Ashy Boy
- 5g Star Witness (AUS) x Al Julhara (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G J Stevenson Rdr: C Newitt 54
5
4.5
Wyclif
- 7g Archipenko (USA) x Altruiste (GB) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
6
5.5
Aurora's Symphony
- 7g Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Aurora's Hot (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: Jordan Childs 61.5
7
7.2
Rising Light
- 6g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Hayaat (AUS) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Gaetan Delon Rdr: Codi Jordan 54
8
7.4
Assaranca
- 6m Nicconi (AUS) x Talulla (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: A Darmanin 54
9
9.9
Vintage Diesel
- 6g He's Remarkable (NZ) x Safanad (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: Sigrid Carr 54
10
10.9
I'm So Cool
- 5g Alpine Eagle (AUS) x Smooth Return (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J L Keys Rdr: D Pires 55
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Plenty of action at the Randwick trials on Tuesday morning with nine heats won by juveniles and they included a stakes-winning filly and another talented colt and filly with stakes aspirations, plus an unraced colt from a family that was featured in one of our most read stories of last week.
Spring Stars Step Out at Trials
Chris Waller is not short of talent for the big spring races with several key horses in the team including Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) sent across to Randwick on Tuesday morning to trial, so how did they go?
Impressive Debut As Tassort Filly Spice Baby Wins By Three
Tackling the older horses on debut is never easy, but the Joseph Ible trained Spice Baby headed to Moruya on Monday, trouncing her opposition to score by three lengths, untouched.
Blue Gum Farm Stallion Parade August 10
The Victorian stallion parade week in August will start with Blue Gum Farm opening the gates on Sunday August 10 for a friendly lunchtime gathering while inspecting the farm’s three stallions – Sejardan, Flying Artie and Oxley Road.
Melbourne Possible for Tough Kiwi Stayer
Tough stayer Wolfgang showed enough during a brief Melbourne campaign last spring to warrant a return visit.
One to Watch Wins Again
When Grunt three year-old Mr Blunt won on debut at Ballarat on the synthetic track by nine lengths earlier this month he was an easy choice as a One to Watch and on Tuesday he repeated the performance to go two for two.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 22
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Group Winning Bivouac Filly Impresses at Trials
Talented filly Intention made an impressive winning return to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, ticking the first box in a journey towards top three-year-old honours.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 21
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Per Incanto Honoured with Centaine Award
Hall of Fame stallion Savabeel’s nine-year hold on the Centaine Award has been broken by the pride of the Wairarapa, Per Incanto.