Exceed and Excel gelding Eximius is destined for better races after surprising trainer Mick Price with a winning debut at Flemington.
Price doubted the two-year-old was mature enough to win Saturday’s Trevor Clarke Handicap but, ridden off the pace after being badly hampered at the start, he finished strongly to score by a length from Sandown debut winner Crystal Web and Titania Star.
Shoreham finished fourth and fifth placed Absolute Spirit, trained by John McArdle, was put down after breaking his near fore sesamoid crossing the finish line.
The win was Newitt’s 57th in the city this season and put him one ahead of reigning premier Luke Nolen.
Newitt said Eximius’ collision at the start with debutant Positive, who jumped sideways, may have been a blessing in disguise.
“He got pole-axed out of the machines but it probably worked little bit in our favour,” Newitt said.
“He was able to get a sit behind a nice tempo and what I liked was the way he put paid to them and ran through the line very strongly.”
Price said Eximius, a $100,000 yearling, had trialled well in two Caulfield jump-outs but he would have been happy if he had just picked up minor prizemoney on Saturday.
“I thought he was pretty immature and I wasn’t all the confident today,” Price said.
“He’s had a couple trials at Caulfield and, while he’s been good in them, he hasn’t been outstanding and blazing away.
“It was a nice little debut Flemington win and he’s going to be a nice horse next campaign.”
