Exceedance is the type of horse that can get you to the races just to watch in the parade ring, but he is not just a pretty face, he has a motor that makes him one of the most exciting young horses in training.
The team Hawkes-trained son of Exceed And Excel had a mountain to climb in Saturday's Group III San Domenico (1100m) at Rosehill in the shape of fellow Exceed And Excel colt Bivouac.
But when Tommy Berry eased out on Exceedance he blew past the hugely impressive Vain Stakes winner and the dual Group II winner Anaheed to ring up his first stakes win at his third start.
Despite running in over the concluding stages, Exceedance danced through the mud to defeat the odd-on favourite Bivouac by two lengths with Anahhed (Fastnet Rock) a short-head back in third. (images Steve Hart) .
Co-trainer
Michael Hawkes deflected any thoughts of a run in The Everest but was pleased
the son of Exceed And Excel ticked off the heavy track box.
"He really had to run today, if we took him out then it might be wet again in three weeks " Hawkes said.
"So we decided to run and he made it look easy. I told Tommy to ride him like the best horse and he did."
It has been an exciting couple of weeks for Berry after guiding the impressive I Am Invincible filly Libertini to victory in the Silver Shadow Stakes.
"He's an exciting colt," Berry said.
"It was a bit like Libertini last week. We had to see him come back and do it but do it and he did.
"He's a lovely ride for a colt and has a great attitude."
A $180,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Vinery Stud from the Newgate Farm draft, Exceedance is the first living foal of stakes-winning Thorn Park mare Bonnie Mac, a half-sister to three stakes winners, the Group III winners Upham and Intimate Moment as well as stakes-winner Gold Rum.
Allam Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock purchased Bonnie Mac, in foal to Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, for $375,000 out of the Newgate consignment at this year's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She had another colt by Exceed and Excel, which made $125,000 at the Magic Millions this year when offered by Newgate.
Bonnie Mac has a yearling Sebring filly and is awaiting the birth of her Capitalist foal.
Exceedance becomes the 161st stakes-winner for Darley Stud's flagship stallion Exceed And Excel who lines up for his 16th season this spring at a fee that has been advertised as on application.
