The Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable were to the fore at Te Rapa on Saturday when progressive juveniles Excite and Incandescent produced a feature race quinella in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m).
Wootton Bassett colt Excite was backed into favouritism for the contest off the back of an excellent run for fourth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Sakes (1400m) at Trentham, and although he was still a maiden after three races in his opening campaign, he was expected to open his winning account on the weekend.
Rider George Rooke gave him the perfect run in the trail behind pacemakers Walkin In Memphis and Bourbon Time and it was obvious turning for home he had a lapful of horse if he could get a clear shot at the leaders.
Excite shouldered his way into the clear at the 250m and pounced on the leading pair before easing a length clear as he hit the line full of running from his stablemate Incandescent, who had found clear air wider out and stormed into the runner-up position narrowly ahead of Bourbon Time and Walkin In Memphis, who both battled gamely after being headed.
James hinted a possible Australian campaign could be in the offing for Excite, who looks to have plenty of untapped potential.
“I think he (Excite) is a pretty fair horse in the making as we rode him a little conservatively at his last start because he is still a horse in the making,” James said.
“We found out we could trust him and George rode him an absolute treat today and he duly delivered.
“The other horse (Incandescent) was good too as he made ground late to grab second, so we have a couple of smart horses looking towards the spring.
“We will see how they come through their runs but there is a nice race for Excite in a couple of weeks at Ellerslie (Listed Champagne Stakes, 1600m) and I think we could go there.
“If he could string two wins together, we might even look at something offshore as he has improved all season and is coping with his racing very well.
“I think he is a Guineas horse in the making.”
Rooke noted the horse had always been held in high regard but was only now beginning to learn his trade.
“He has just been a lot greener than first anticipated when he first started running,” he said.
“He is learning all the time and today he did everything right. He is going to improve, be better over a mile and better again next year.
“He relaxed perfectly today and is very exciting. I think he could be a Group One horse.”
Excite is the 79th stakes-winner worldwide for ill-fated Wootton Bassett (GB), who died suddenly at Coolmore Australia last spring.
Raced by his breeder Colin Litt and his wife Helen, who also had their multiple Group One winning mare Orchestral in the stable, Excite is out of the stakes winning Savabeel mare Elate who is a half-sister to Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner High Emocean. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
