Ultra-consistent Snitzel mare I Am Excited charged home from last to capture Saturday's Group II Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington
The David Pfieffer-trained 4yo looked a forlorn hope when tailed off at the halfway mark down the Flemington straight.
Switched to the outside by Kerrin McEvoy the daughter of Snitzel picked off one runner after another to defeat Eduardo (Host) by a long-neck with Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) a half-head back in third. (photos Grant Courtney )
"She's very honest. I was a bit more confident coming to Flemington today because at Caulfield (in the How Now Stakes) she had a few things go against her," Pfieffer said.
"She is a mare that needs that extra 100 metres to wins up and the bigger track, and more so down the straight was always going to suit her.
"We'll be back here on Derby day.
With her third stakes win, I Am Excited advances her record to 5 wins, 2 second and 4 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $584,375.
A half-sister to the Group III VRC Frances Tressady Stakes winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook), 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).
Newgate Farm consigned a full brother to Flippant and a half to I Am Excited at the Easter Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to China Horse Club / WinStar Farm / Raffles Racing for $300,000.
Lady Beckworth missed in 2016 and foaled and I Am Invincible colt on September 17.
