G1 Goals for $750,000 Exceed and Excel Colt

Media Release - Sunday March 17

Reminiscent of his impressive debut, two-year-old colt Equinox once again showed his liking for the Trentham track with a hard-fought victory at the venue on Saturday.

Equinox - image Trish DunnellA $750,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis at the 2018 National Yearling Sale, Equinox was not comfortable on slow ground in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) last time at Matamata, after making a winning debut over 1000m at Trentham in January.

Replacement rider Michael McNab, who secured the mount when Troy Harris was stood down after being dislodged a day earlier at Te Aroha, bounced Equinox away quickly to dictate the play from in front.

Asked for a serious effort at the top of the Trentham straight, Equinox extended his advantage before holding out a strong late challenge from impressive Cambridge raider Holy Mongolemperor, who stormed home from last to be denied by a long head.

Ellis, who purchased the colt as a member of the three-strong 2018 colts breeding syndicate from his 2018 Karaka purchases, is looking forward to the son of Exceed And Excel tackling the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on March 30 as his next assignment.

"It's a great thrill for my owners in the Colts' Syndicate because he's now won two of his three starts and all going well, can go on to contest a Group One in a couple of weeks," he said.

"We'd like to see good ground for him in the Sires' and ride him with a bit of cover.

"It was great for Michael to pick up the ride because he's been riding a lot of work for us and my policy is to put those on that ride the work."

Trainer Jamie Richards was also delighted with the run.

"I said to Michael, I'd like to see him tuck in but it may not be the day to do that and he got a nice soft lead," he said.

Advertisement

"He'll be a better colt when he's ridden with cover and give him something to chase.

"He probably still wants the track a little better again (for the Sires'), but we're heading into the autumn and the horse is going well. I thought Michael gave him every chance and the second horse had trialled really well, so I think the form will stack up."

For McNab, the win continued his good form on the course after riding three winners on Wellington Cup Day in January.

"I know a fair bit about him and go over to ride for Te Akau, so I knew him well enough," McNab said.

"He's still only three parts there and doesn't really know what he's doing, but he's a got a real presence about him, a really cool horse that knows he's pretty cool.

"When he puts it all together, he could be very good."

Equinox is now rated a $12 chance for the Sires' Produce in a market headed by Group One winning stablemate Yourdeel at $2.40. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
15th G1 Winner for Exceed and Excel
Turning 20 this year, Darley’s champion sire Exceed and Excel has just finished a super successful Magic Millions Sale that saw him with 24 yearlings average $398,542 to be the third leading sire by average and in South Africa on Saturday he posted a 15th Group I winner.
$1.8 Million Exceed and Excel Colt from G1 Winner Platelet
A protracted bidding duel marked the sale of Lot 640, a powerhouse colt by Exceed and Excel from dual Group I winning sprinter Platelet with Hawkes Racing prevailing over a persistent Coolmore.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
Exceed And Excel's Athelric Rewarded for Consistency
It was a 1-3 for Godolphin in Saturday’s Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
A New Benchmark for Edinburgh Stud
An emotional Ian Smith watched on as bidding reached $1 million for Edinburgh Stud’s stunning Exceed And Excel colt out of the Smoke Glacken mare Smokin’ Alice (USA) to set a new benchmark for the stud.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.