Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

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

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au