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He’s Xceptional scores a good first-up win in the McKenzie Stakes
He’s Xceptional (3 g ex She’s A Danica by Sebring) provided Newhaven Park's Xtravagant (Pentire) with his first winner when he broke his maiden back at Cranbourne in March and on Saturday, provided his sire with his first stakes winner when he won the McKenzie Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, He's Xceptional enjoyed the fast pace in Saturday's McKenzie Stakes and ran down the leader, Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain), to claim the Listed race for three-year-olds.
Jigsaw and Rock Artist (Wandjina) carved out a fast pace with He's Xceptional settling in third place, but as Rock Artist began to weaken coming to the hometurn, Jigsaw gave a solid kick, and Daniel Moor, aboard the winner, was not going to allow the leader too much leeway.
In a dogged battle down The Valley straight, He's Xceptional prevailed by a half-neck from Jigsaw with Godolphin galloper Athelric (Exceed And Excel) a further one and a quarter lengths away third.
It was a good result for Moor who has been working hard for the Busuttin and Young stable after having his momentum halted with a stint on the sidelines through injury.
"I didn't need that five weeks off with broken ribs," Moor said.
"I had a lot of momentum at the end of last season and it's taken a little bit to get the weight back down, but it's good to be firing on all cylinders for the Busuttin and Young team."
Sam Griggs, representing Busuttin and Young, said He's Xceptional had been underestimated throughout his career.
The gelded son of Xtravagant is now a two-time winner from six starts.
"There was obviously a few horses there with booms on them," Griggs said.
"He's a gelding up against the colts and he's probably been a bit underestimated his whole career, but he's honest and puts in.
"He's not the easiest horse to handle but he's furnished more, he's not the biggest horse but he just keeps getting better."
Bred by Seymour Bloodstock, He’s Xceptional was bought for $40,000 by Clarke Bloodstock at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud and a sister to He’s Xceptional was bought by McEvoy Mitchell and Belmont Bloodstock at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $150,000.
He’s Xceptional is one of three winners out of She’s Danica (Sebring) and his third dam is three time Group 1-winning mare Ballroom Babe (Citidancer) - the dam of Group Two scorer Just Dancing (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Group 3 winner Tahni Girl (Redoute’s Choice), who in turn produced fellow Group 3 scorer and Alwyn Park Stud-based stallion Maschino (Encosta De Lago) and Listed winner Kentucky Breeze (Pierro).
Xtravagant is now sitting this in the leading second season sires table in Australia by earnings behind Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) and Frosted (Tapit) and his 2021 fee at Newhaven Park is set a $11,000 (inc GST).
