By Anthony Manton
The Black Book will identify race performances around Australia particularly worth following in the future. These may be high profile runners at trials and smaller tracks, or eye-catching performances, we'll aim to give you a horse to add to your pedigree or performance black book for the future.
Although a late-season midweek provincial meeting, Thursday’s Wyong race-meeting produced two exciting 2-year-old colts to follow for the future, one a graduate of Newgate and the other owned by Newgate and partners, by resident stallion Deep Field.
In race 4, Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) produced a startling performance rarely seen on the tight-turning provincial track to win on debut, while 35 minutes later in race 5, North (Deep Field) kicked-off his career by riding the speed and winning impressively.
Exceedance, trained by team Hawkes and ridden by Tommy Berry, began well before being restrained to settle near the rear of the field and was spotting the leader and race favourite Blazing Miss (Sizzling) 10-12 lengths at the 400m. From what looked like an impossible winning position, Exceedance circled widest approaching the home turn and launched a blistering final sprint, and with still 4 lengths to make-up at the 100m rounded-up Blazing Miss and Shielded (Helmet) to win running away.
It was a remarkable performance that caught the attention of many on social media.
Team Hawkes had given Exceedance two lead-up barrier trials, firstly at Canterbury on April 23, when not overly pressured to finish 5th just on the heels of the placegetters, then again at Warwick Farm on May 3, with a similar performance finishing 4th. Under race conditions Exceedance went to another level and stamped himself as a potential top-liner.
Exceedance is the first foal to race from stakes-winning mare Bonnie Mac (NZ) (Thorn Park), a half-sister to Group-winner Intimate Moment (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}), and stakes-winners Basic Trilogy (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and Gold Rum (NZ) (Golan {Ire}).
Exceedance was a $180,000 yearling purchase for Vinery Stud at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The ownership of Exceedance includes Werrett Bloodstock, Encompass Bloodstock, Phoenix Thoroughbreds & Glenlogan Park among others, as the group looks to develop a future stallion prospect.
Exceed And Excel has had an exceptional season with his 2-year-olds, headed by G1 Sires' Produce S. winner Microphone and G3 Kindergarten S. winner Bivouac.
Trajectory North
Meanwhile in race 5, North, trained by Peter & Paul Snowden and also ridden by Tommy Berry, kicked-off his career in winning style.
After beginning well, North showed terrific barrier speed to take up a forward position sitting outside the leader and noted-speedster Serbelloni (Snitzel) at a fast pace. Despite sitting on the fast tempo, North showed good acceleration on the home turn to quickly sprint. Although a little tired late, North had a big break and held on to win by one length.
North showed very similar characteristics to his sire Deep Field, a horse who could maintain a high cruising speed while being able to absorb pressure. Adding more credibility to the win, North was the lone 2-year-old in the race, and was able to beat the older more seasoned and mature horses.
North had been well-educated by team Snowden, first trialling publicly twice prior to Christmas in December before being spelled and returning again in April with two more lead-up trials. He was well-fancied for his debut.
North was a $300,000 yearling purchase at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, for China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and Winstar Farm.
North is the third foal to race from unraced mare Legato (Danehill {USA}), a three-quarter sister to stakes-winner Gonski (Danehill {USA}), and half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Schubert (Salieri {USA}). The family also includes stakes-winners Pinezero (Danzero), and Downhill Racer (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
North is from the first crop by Deep Field who has had immediate success at stud. From just 38 individual runners this season, he has had 15 individual winners, and two stakes-winners Cosmic Force (Deep Field), and Dig Deep (Deep Field).
On the back of his success it was recently announced that Deep Field’s service would rise from $22,000 to $44,000.
