3 minute read
A potential Group level horse is expected to take beating in the final event on the card at Rosehill on Saturday.
That Group horse in the making is Paret who contests the Clubsnsw Benchmark 81 Handicap (1350m).
Paret built on an encouraging first up display when winning a Benchmark 73 3YO Handicap (1400m) at this course a fortnight ago.
Quite wayward and immature as an early season three-year-old, Paret was a little professional last start.
Held up for room for the most part of the straight, a slender gap emerged inside the furlong and the Chris Waller-trained gelding attacked it, putting 1.3 lengths on his stablemate Snitzel Day with three lengths back to third.
The son of Harbour Watch has seemingly come of age as a racehorse this prep, more likely than not because of being gelded in his latest spell.
Post race, Waller suggested he would be working through his grades and potentially won’t look out of place at Group level this spring.
On Saturday he will be fitter again third run from a spell and in a ten horse field, won’t have to spot the leaders much of a start heading into the straight.
He looks a great one out option in the final leg of the Sydney quadrella.
The quadrella commences with the Listed Rosebud (1100m) for three-year-olds.
At 30-1, Exceltic is worth a good look on an each way basis in a nine horse field.
The son of Excelebration to date has promised the world but delivered only an Atlas. That could potentially be about to change.
He resumed at Canterbury 17 days ago and while on face value was disappointing, it wasn’t an ideal race for him.
A get back type with an impressive turn of foot, the tight turning Canterbury circuit was never going to be conducive to success for the son of Excelebration.
Making matters worse was the fact Canterbury was playing even more leader-ish than normal.
He will at least be fitter for the run and his latest trial in readiness for that trip to Canterbury was brilliant.
During the autumn, Exceltic commenced his career with placings in solid form races around the likes of Performer, Santos, Dio D’oro, Santos and Legend Of Condor.
Group placed on debut in the Canonbury Stakes at this course and distance, Exceltic’s career best performance came at his next run when second in the Pierro Plate at Randwick on February 17 (1100m) behind Santos.
Fourth in that race was a rival he faces on Saturday in Legend Of Condor who he beat by one length.
Under quality conditions, Exceltic now meets Legend Of Condor 4.5kg better at the weights for beating him.
He carries just 53.5kg and looks suited on Saturday getting back to a more spacious Rosehill circuit.
The application of Blinkers for the first time could prove to be the last piece of the puzzle.
Sydney Specials: Rosehill – August 11
Best Of The Day: R9; #7 Paret @ $2.80
Each Way Play: R6; #6 Exceltic @ $31.00