Written by Paul Vettise
David Pfieffer was feeling like his aptly-named mare I Am Excited (Snitzel) following her victory in the G1 Galaxy, but given the circumstances at Rosehill his celebrations were a touch muted.
The Warwick Farm conditioner had the joy of preparing his first elite level winner after the mare landed top honours in the City Tatteralls Club-sponsored feature sprint, but was somewhat lost in the aftermath of it all.
With the grandstands empty due to the coronoavirus measures banning all but essential race day personnel, the atmosphere was bizarre, but that still couldn’t take away from Pfieffer being handed his first gold medal.
“It’s definitely a weird feeling and very emotional and a long time coming,” he said. “Getting my first Group 1 is pretty special and for a really good group of owners.
"I was confident that the horse was going probably the best of her career. I suppose coming up the inside was probably not the right part of the track, but she toughed it right out. It's my first Group 1 and hopefully it's not my last.
"I've been training 12 years so it's been a while coming. I've had runners in Group 1s and run placings and so forth, but getting that first win is very special."
“I've had runners in Group 1s and run placings and so forth, but getting that first win is very special." – David Pfieffer
I Am Excited raced back in the body of the field and once the gaps opened up in the straight the bonny chestnut mare set about her business and dashed home for a victory that ensures a lucrative breeding career.
In a blanket finish, the 5-year-old prevailed in a tight finish from Shaun Dwyer’s gallant front-runner Miss Leonidas (I Am Invincible) and Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). Deprive (Denman) was fourth ahead of Pierata (Pierro), who made ground steadily from well back.
“She’s worth a pretty penny now. I was standing there and didn’t know whether to go the early crow, they were a long way apart,” Pfieffer said.
“She’s a great mare and a pleasure to have around the stable and I’m not going to say she could train herself because I don’t want anybody to take her off me.”
I Am Excited was ridden by Tim Clark, who had previously won the Galaxy aboard Typhoon Zed (Zeditave) and Atomic Force (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Tim Clark
"The Galaxy was my first Group 1 and this is my third now so it has been a good race to me," Clark said. "I'm very privileged to be able to take it out again."
I Am Excited is raced by a syndicate that includes the Ferguson family’s Bell River Thoroughbreds and is a half-sister to the G3 Frances Tressady S. winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook) with their dam Lady Beckworth (General Nediym).
She is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winner Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) and her G1 Thousand Guineas winning half-sister Commanding Jewel (Commands).
I Am Excited (inside)
