I have just heard the great news that my favourite horse Xcellent won on Monday in Kiwiland and provided he pulls up well from his next run in NZ on Boxing Day, he will be on his way to Australia for the Oz Cup in March at Flemington.
I only hope he can stay sound and come back to somewhere near his best to show Aussie racegoers what a great horse and possibly a champion he could be. I know it is a big ask as most horses don't make it back to their top after the tendon problems like he has had.
BTW did anyone see the race on Sky Channel or has spotted the replay online anywhere as I love to have a look at the race?
News now Xcellent for crack New Zealander
Andrew Eddy
December 4, 2007
Xcellent is on the way back.
XCELLENT, who was favoured to be Makybe Diva's successor as the staying star of Australasian racing, yesterday won his first race for 26 months and is now bound for Melbourne for the Australian Cup in March.
The six-year-old Xcellent flashed home from last to win the Sir James Fletcher Stakes over 1600 metres at Ellerslie in New Zealand, ending what had been an agonising run of poor fortune for his owners and trainer Mike Moroney.
"It certainly looked like the Xcellent of old the way he sat last and picked them up easily," Moroney said. "We've just had no luck with him with injuries but he's fine now and hopefully this could be the start of something for the horse."
Xcellent, who is unbeaten in NZ, shot to fame in Australia when he ran an incredible third to Makybe Diva in her final Melbourne Cup victory in 2005. But he bowed a tendon in February last year and while recuperating, bowed his other front tendon.
Later, Xcellent developed "a bit of shoulder problem and then went sore again", ruling out a Melbourne trip.
I only hope he can stay sound and come back to somewhere near his best to show Aussie racegoers what a great horse and possibly a champion he could be. I know it is a big ask as most horses don't make it back to their top after the tendon problems like he has had.
BTW did anyone see the race on Sky Channel or has spotted the replay online anywhere as I love to have a look at the race?
News now Xcellent for crack New Zealander
Andrew Eddy
December 4, 2007
Xcellent is on the way back.
XCELLENT, who was favoured to be Makybe Diva's successor as the staying star of Australasian racing, yesterday won his first race for 26 months and is now bound for Melbourne for the Australian Cup in March.
The six-year-old Xcellent flashed home from last to win the Sir James Fletcher Stakes over 1600 metres at Ellerslie in New Zealand, ending what had been an agonising run of poor fortune for his owners and trainer Mike Moroney.
"It certainly looked like the Xcellent of old the way he sat last and picked them up easily," Moroney said. "We've just had no luck with him with injuries but he's fine now and hopefully this could be the start of something for the horse."
Xcellent, who is unbeaten in NZ, shot to fame in Australia when he ran an incredible third to Makybe Diva in her final Melbourne Cup victory in 2005. But he bowed a tendon in February last year and while recuperating, bowed his other front tendon.
Later, Xcellent developed "a bit of shoulder problem and then went sore again", ruling out a Melbourne trip.
