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Son of Teofilo targeting sixth elite level win in Queen Elizabeth II Cup

Exultant (Teofilo) tuned up for the defence of his Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) crown with a smart second place finish in a trial at Sha Tin on Wednesday. 

The Tony Cruz-trained son of Teofilo (Galileo) came home well after being quietly urged by Zac Purton to finish second behind stablemate Packing Waltham (Wootton Bassett), while his other stablemate Furore (Pierro) - who will also tackle the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 25 finished third. The time for the 1600 metres was 1:38.16 seconds. 

“He jumped out well, he cruised along and I let him go whatever speed he wanted to go and he did what he always does,” Purton said. 

“He kept galloping along in the straight, he’s honest, he feels alright, he’s got a chance in the race but he is getting older, it is getting hard for him but in saying that he’s just so honest, he always gives his best.”

While he nears the twilight of his career, Exultant is readying for what is shaping up to be one of his toughest test to dates as he leads the home team against a strong arsenal from Japan, featuring last year’s Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Epiphaneia), 2019 Hong Kong Vase (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Glory Vase (Deep Impact), last month’s Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1, 2410m) runner-up Loves Only You (Deep Impact) as well as Kiseki (Rulership), winner of the 2017 Kikuka Sho (Gr 1, 3000m).

“He’s shown that he’s in form, he’ll be ready for the 25th,” Cruz said. “His last race was the Hong Kong Gold Cup, so he needs a trial like that to get him right for race day.”