Trainer David Pfieffer will target the $600,000 Group 1 ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Stakes (Royal Sovereign Stakes) (1200m) with the progressive Snitzel filly I Am Excited following her determined win in Saturday's Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
Positioned back on the rail in the second half of the field, I Am Excited came with a well-timed finish under Kerrin McEvoy to beat Acqume (Sepoy) by three-quarters of a length with the favourite Houtzen (I Am Invincible) another two and a quarter lengths back in third after setting the pace. (photos Steve Hart ).
I was very happy with her coming here following her first-up win.
"I was a bit worried that may have taken a bit out of her but she never showed any signs of it during the week her work was solid leading into it.
"I think she will start next in the Darby Munro then onto the Arrowfield."
A half-sister to last Saturday's Group III VRC Frances Tressady Stakes winner Flippant, I Am Excited is the second stakes-winner from the first three foals of the General Nediym mare Lady Beckworth.
Purchased by Newgate Farm's Henry Field, on behalf of SF Bloodstock, for $400,000 at the 2016 Bell River Thoroughbreds dispersal, Lady Beckworth is a half-sister to Regard (Zabeel) whose only two foals were the superstar Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) and Group 1 winner Commanding Jewel (Commands).
The winner of 10 of her 11 starts including four at the highest level, Atlantic Jewel lost her unbeaten record when run down by Dundeel in the shadows of the post in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.
Atlantic Jewel was exported to Ireland in 2014 to begin her career as a broodmare.
Twelve months after Atlantic Jewel won the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, Commanding Jewel added her name to the honour roll.
Commanding Jewel has a yearling colt by I Am Invincible and a filly foal by More Than Ready (USA). She was bred back to I Am Invincible last spring.
The wins by I Am Excited and Flippant will certainly add considerable value to the full brother to Flippant to be consigned by Newgate Farm at the upcoming Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 194.
Lady Beckworth has had a troubled history at stud of late.
She missed in 2014 and 16 and was covered by I Am Invincible last spring.
I Am Excited becomes the 80th stakes-winner for Snitzel and his 22nd stakes-winner this season, fast closing down on the record of 26.
