Excellantes Unlikely To Head To Melbourne

By Glenn Davis
Excellantes' late winter carnival surge may have come too late to earn a trip to Melbourne this spring despite his convincing victory at Doomben.
Excellantes provided premier trainer Rob Heathcote with a winning treble when he downed top weight Startsmeup by 1-1/4 lengths in Saturday's Jim Beam Handicap (1110m).
The Ringmaster was a further long head away third. Heathcote has booked seven boxes at Flemington for the Melbourne spring carnival but it's unlikely Excellantes will join stable flag-bearers Woorim and Buffering interstate.
Heathcote believes Excellantes is worthy of an interstate trip but the timing doesn't fit in well.
"I really think there's a good race in him down south but time may have caught up with him this campaign and next year might be best," Heathcote said.
"It's the sign of good horse when you see them let down like he did in the last 200 metres. He has not run a bad race in his career having only missed a cheque once and that was at the Gold Coast on a terrible track."
Heathcote's earlier wins were with Simmering in the Coca-Cola Handicap (2020m) and Solzhenitsyn in the Eagle Boys Pizza Handicap (1350m).
Heathcote praised jockey Damian Browne for his patience when he had Excellantes travelling midfield.
"Damian's middle name is confidence, that's why I like him, his balance, poise and he just puts horses in the right place and usually gives them every chance." Heathcote said.
Heathcote only returned from an overseas holiday last Sunday and was quick to praise his staff for continuing the stable's great run of success in his absence. “ I have a great infrastructure around the stable and with some passionate staff, it certainly keeps the well oiled machine running smoothly.” “Melissa Leith, Robert and Michael O’Leary form part of a great team I have.”
Heathcote has a runaway lead in the Brisbane trainers' premiership and has his third title sewn up.