The Brisbane winter carnival can’t come quickly enough for Rob Heathcote who is hopeful Excellantes can add his name to the stable’s contenders following his comeback at Eagle Farm.
Excellantes will be ridden by Brisbane’s form jockey Damian Browne in Saturday’s Stower Electrical & Ashgrove Air Three-year-old Handicap (1000m).
“I’ve got some nice horses leading into the early part of the winter and I think Excellantes will be with them,” Heathcote said.
Excellantes hasn’t started since finishing third to highly-rated three-year-olds Audacious Spirit and Benny’s Buttons over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm in late November.
A son of dual Group One winner Falvelon, Excellantes has started only three times in his career and is yet to miss a place.
“He got beaten a centimetre in his first start by Metallurgical, the $2.2 million yearling which went on to win three in a row after he beat him,” Heathcote said.
“He then came out and won his maiden by four lengths before he got beaten by Audacious Spirit and Benny’s Buttons who have both been creditable black-type performers.”
Excellantes hasn’t had a barrier trial to prepare for his comeback but Heathcote doubts it will prove a disadvantage.
“It was only a programming problem that prevented him from barrier trialling but he’s had a jumpout and is fit enough first-up,” Heathcote said.
Heathcote expects Excellantes, who drew barrier seven, to confirm plans currently pencilled in for the winter.
“I think he can be another of mine that can measure up to the winter carnival,” Heathcote said.
“I’ll more than likely get him ready for the Gold Coast Guineas and then the Fred Best Classic.
“I’m not sure about the Queensland Guineas but I’m not ruling it out.
“The Guineas is 1600 metres and the Falvelon breed normally only get to about 1400 metres.”
The Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) will be run on May 7 with the Group Three Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben two weeks later.
Heathcote’s other winter carnival aspirants include Buffering, Woorim, Our Lukas, Gundy Son, Fillydelphia and Captain Clayton.
He is yet to finalise a winter program for Roman Consul Stakes winner Buffering who hasn’t started since finishing fourth to Star Witness in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October.
Buffering made his first public appearance this campaign with an easy barrier trial win at Eagle Farm on Tuesday.
AAP TURF
