Co-trainer Adrian Bott is confident that Excess Knowledge is ready to peak when he lines up for his second Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon.
Excess Knowledge will take his place in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. Photo: Steve Hart
Excess Knowledge gained ballot-free entry into last year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup when he won the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Derby Day, and loomed as the race’s winner leading into the straight before fading late to finish seventh.
Bott concedes that Excess Knowledge has probably not shown his best through four Spring Carnival starts so far, but believes his most recent run for second in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) last weekend has brought his form right on in time for the Melbourne Cup.
“He ran a great race last year. He had to do a little bit of work to find the front, but he was able to control it and I loved the way he kicked into it. He fought on strongly, so really gutsy performance,” Bott said.
“From that day, we’ve prepared towards this race. Everything has gone well so far and he might not have the runs on the board yet, but we’re really confident with where we’ve got him.
“He’s come through that great. They may have just outsprinted him a bit late or I think it was a bit hard for him making his run on the tight turning track. He will certainly appreciate getting back to Flemington.
“We probably would have preferred to draw closer but you can’t change that Gai’s always very optimistic about here we draw so I’ve taken on that approach.
“If he’s good enough, we can win from there. I think we’ll still be able to get into a good position.”
Bott joined Gai Waterhouse as a co-trainer of Tulloch Lodge following the recent 2016 Autumn Carnival, and is thrilled to be saddling Excess Knowledge as his first Melbourne Cup runner.
“I’m delighted, it’s the race that stops a nation so really thrilled to be here,” Bott said.
Excess Knowledge began his career under the guidance of prominent British trainer John Gosden in 2012, but was purchased and transferred to the care of Waterhouse prior to the 2014 racing season.
Arguably finding career-best form to date during the 2015 spring, the Monsun entire finished second in each of the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) and Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) before his Lexus Stakes triumph.
Excess Knowledge is currently available at 2016 Melbourne Cup odds of $91 with Ladbrokes Australia.
