An interstate campaign hasn’t had any negative effects on Excellantes according to trainer Robert Heathcote.
After Excellantes returned to Brisbane following three unsuccessful runs in Melbourne during the spring, Heathcote was concerned the amount of travelling might have “flattened” the gelding.
But the five-year-old’s effort to finish fifth at Eagle Farm on November 24 has convinced Heathcote he is worthy of starting in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes (1200m).
“I liked his run last time because it was an unusual lead-up prep,” Heathcote said.
“When he came back from Melbourne I gave him ten days out at a Washpool Lodge and he only had a saddle on him for five days before the race so it’s fair to expect improvement from that run.
“I wasn’t sure if he would come back well but that run showed me he has.”
While Excellantes didn’t win in Melbourne, the gelding ran an encouraging third to Unpretentious at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
“He was competitive without winning and the form out of the race on Cup day has stood up,” Heathcote said.
“I think he’s still improving and his work subsequent to his last run has been really good.”
Heathcote acknowledges a wide barrier has made the task more difficult for Excellantes.
“Adebisi is coming out of gate ten so he’ll be looking for the lead but my bloke has the leg speed to be in the first four or five runners,” he said.
Heathcote will also start Gundy Son, to be ridden by Paul Hammersley, in the George Moore and is upbeat about his chances despite his $21 quote with TAB Fixed Odds.
“A few things have gone against him this year,” Heathcote said.
“We ran him first-up on a heavy track at the Gold Coast last campaign and it took him a long time to get over that.
“I liked his first-up run and the key with him is to get him to the outside and let him get home.”
Meanwhile jockey Ric McMahon expects plenty of speed in the race will assist Adebisi’s Desleigh Forster-trained stablemate Easy Running who will wear blinkers.
“He’ll get back but they’ll be rolling along up front and the blinkers might switch him on,” he said.
