The Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) for two year-olds at Flemington on Tuesday got Cup Day off to a flying start with a quinella for first season sires with Exceedance colt Dublin Down too tough for his well fancied stablemate Blue Stratum, a son of much hyped Darley shuttler Blue Point (IRE).
Both the winner and runner-up are prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, who had sent Dublin Down to the races twice previously for a fourth in the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial and a second at Bendigo.
That race experience and fitness stood him in good stead for this assignment as he knew how to knuckle down and fight to the line scoring a head win under Zac Purton.
“Well done to all our team. It’s a job to get these two year-olds going and to handle the occasion like today and both of our colts handled it beautifully,” said Calvin McEvoy.
“Dublin Down with that race experience was just too smart.”
Dublin Down was a $370,000 Magic Millions purchase from Edinburgh Park for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency and has banked over $130,000 in his first three starts. He was the highest priced yearling by his sire at Magic Millions and the highest priced colt by his sire at all sales in 2023.
Bred by Edinburgh Park, he is the first foal of stakes-winning O’Reilly mare Dublin Lass, who was sold as part of the Edinburgh Park Dispersal at the Magic Millions National Sale along with her then weanling filly by Dublin Down’s sire Exceedance.
Dublin Lass was picked up by Kingstar Farm for $85,000 and produced a colt by Glenfiddich in September, while the sister to Dublin Down was bought by Kitchwin Hills for $100,000.
Dublin Down is the first runner, winner and stakes-winner for Vinery Stud’s gorgeous Exceed and Excel stallion Exceedance, who won the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2019.
Exceedance has covered 422 mares in his first three seasons and is priced at $33,000 this spring with high fertility making him a great choice for a late season cover.
