3 minute read
Unknown in the going, Exceedance has run over the favourite to win the 2019 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Coming off heels at the corner, Exceedance ducked in but was far too good.
Wowee.
— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) August 31, 2019
Exceedance. @HawkesRacing @VineryStud pic.twitter.com/vLwJ0Hvflz
WINNING TRAINER: TEAM HAWKES - MICHAEL HAWKES
Starting campaign off today: "He has had two good runs last campaign. Coming into this race, it was a race we always had set for him."
In transit: "He was actually in the wrong spot (under the conditions). Barrier 1 really wasn't his barrier the way the race panned out. These races get very tricky. With the tempo they didn't go overly hard. Tommy knew he was on the best horse. I said that to him before the race 'just ride him like the best horse, you're on the best horse'. Once he let down he just gobbled it up and made it look too easy."
On deciding to run on the Heavy track: "Dad and I discussed it this morning. We really had to run today to know. If we didn't run today and then run in two weeks and find a wet track you're in the same boat. Usually as a rule you don't like to start horses off on a heavy track but this colt, he is a brilliant colt. He definitely showed it last time in. He has come from a Wyong maiden to a placing at Rosehill. He was a Benchmark 67 before today but obviously he had the potential and he was just far superior."
WINNING JOCKEY: TOMMY BERRY
How did he handle the ground: "I grew a lot of confidence going to the gates on him. I usually just hack him around but I gave him a bit of a click up today - made him stretch his legs so he could get a feel of that ground. He felt very confident in it so I was pretty confident before they jumped."
Development since the 2YO year: "It's always a bit scary, you don't know how they're going to come back. But the Hawkes', they do it year after year - especially the three-year-olds, they've got a great record with them. They give them plenty of time and bring them back in great order. They were in no rush to come here today. He's an absolute pleasure to have anything to do with. I can't believe I've ridden two three-year-olds in two weeks who've got the same temperament, they're built the same. This bloke - I'm just full of praise for him."
Which three-year-old is better? "Not sure yet, they've only had one run each … settle down."
Will he get to the mile? "Horses that get back and sprint as well as him, sometimes you get them to the mile and they don't run it out. He feels like he'll run every bit of a mile out - we'll see if we get him there. I'm sure that the team he's with he'll have every opportunity."
Everest contender? "If you got the call up and the Hawkes put him in the race he'd make his presence felt."
BEATEN JOCKEYS:
Hugh Bowman (Bivouac): "Certainly wasn't as effective on rain-affected winter ground but take nothing away from the winner who was too good on the day."
Tim Clark (Anaheed): "Really good run. Just ran against two quality colts. Back to the fillies she'll be really hard to beat."
Kerrin McEvoy (Catch Me): "She needs better ground."
Kathy O'Hara (Royal Popcorn): "He went much better than I thought he would. He stuck on not too bad. Just needs a 1400m maiden on a wet track."
