The Inglis Easter star Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) confirmed his status as one of the most valuable colts in training anywhere in the world with victory in the stallion-making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
The 3YO colt – which Vinery purchased for $180,000 at last year’s Easter Sale from the Newgate Farm draft – had already proven himself one of Australia’s leading 3YO sprinters prior to today, with a close-up third in the G1 Golden Rose at his most recent start.
But in what has developed into a spectacular crop of 3YOs, Exceedance proved too strong in one of the key races on the Australian calendar for that age group.
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Exceedance is raced by many industry heavyweights including Vinery Stud’s Peter and Adele Orton, Rupert Legh, Neil Werrett, Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Glenlogan Park among others.
Exceedance became the third Inglis graduate in the past four years to win the Coolmore after the successes of Merchant Navy (2017) and Flying Artie (2016).
He also became the 38th G1-winning Inglis graduate since the start of 2018, more than double our nearest competitor, and fifth G1-winning Inglis 3YO in Australia this season.
Exceedance will target Australian sprint races in the autumn before a potential Royal Ascot campaign mid next year.
“This is a genuine sprint race and this is a genuinely top-line sprinter,’’ Vinery’s Peter Orton said.
“Many good horses springboard off this race and I think that’s a great mark of a stallion-making race.
“At Easter he was just a lovely horse. There were a few things about him that put some people off but we looked at him and we loved him.
“We probably love him even more after this!’’
For breeder Nick Vass, it was a second G1 winner after Volpe Veloce, who won the 2018 Railway Stakes in New Zealand.
“It’s a great thrill. He was always a lovely type and I’ve got the Sebring half-sister at home which I’m equally excited about,’’ Vass said of Exceedance.
“It’s such a big race on such a big day and he’s an absolutely quality horse.
“I’m so thrilled for everyone involved and so thrilled to have bred a Coolmore winner.’’
Meanwhile the connections of Inglis Premier graduate Dalasan (Dalakhani) enjoyed the spoils of a $1m bonus when their star galloper won today’s G3 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington.
The 3YO was eligible for the bonus having competed in previously selected races throughout the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
It was a fifth career win for Dalasan, an $80,000 Premier buy for his trainer Leon Macdonald from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2018 Premier Sale at Oaklands.
As Macdonald said post-race, “It’ll be a good drink tonight!’’
