Excellantes Winter Bound
Quality three-year-old Excellantes confirmed himself as a genuine Brisbane winter carnival contender following his hard fought victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Ridden by Brisbane’s form jockey Damian Browne, Excellantes led all the way to bravely hold off Hearts’n’Diamonds by a half head in the QTIS Canadian Club Handicap (1200m)
In a thrilling three-way finish, Wonderful Lass was only a half neck away third.
Excellantes was purchased for $105,000 purchase as a yearling and took his record to two wins and three placings from five starts.
Trainer Rob Heathcote has a powerful team, including top three-year-old Buffering, heading towards the Brisbane winter carnival and Excellantes looks like joining the squad.
Excellantes, a son of dual Group One winner Falvelon, was having only his second run this campaign after resuming with a close second to Zippity Jet at Eagle Farm last month.
During the spring, Excellantes underlined his ability finishing third to highly-rated three-year-olds Audacious Spirit and Benny's Buttons over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm in late November.
At his first start, Excellantes went down in a photo to $2.2 million dollar youngster Metallurgical which went on to win three races in succession last spring.
The gelding then won his maiden by four lengths before going down in a close finish to Audacious Spirit and Benny's Buttons who have both been creditable black-type performers.
“It was an impressive win,” Heathcote said.
“He came from the outside alley and crossed them very easily. He’s pretty quick.
“I think he’s got a fair bit of improvement to come and he’s still on the fat side.
“Damien rode him well and he’s got a good opinion of him.”
Heathcote is likely to target the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 7 and the Group Three Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben two weeks later with Excellantes.
However, he’s unlikely to extend Excellantes further to the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“I’m just not too sure whether he can run 1600 metres but the other two races look suitable,” Heathcote said.
Racing Queensland Web News
Photo: Graham Potter
