Trainer Gai Waterhouse is confident that Excess Knowledge will measure up to Spring Carnival standard after showing plenty of ability over the 2015 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Excess Knowledge, above in black and gold winning he Doncaster Prelude, will be set for Spring Carnival campaign. Photo by Steve Hart.
Waterhouse wrote on her website that Excess Knowledge is nearly ready to step out for a barrier trial after he was rated the best track worker from Tulloch Lodge on Tuesday morning.
The First Lady Of The Turf wrote on her track work report that work rider Steve O’Halloran rated the English import as his best for the morning, working strongly to the line at the end of his 1400m gallop.
“Steve O’Halloran’s best of the morning was the spring bound Excess Knowledge who Steve mentioned was “really good”, Waterhouse wrote.
“The entire worked over 1400m coming home his last 200m in 11.3 seconds. After two wins last preparation, this entire is not too far away from trialling.”
Waterhouse has a high opinion of Excess Knowledge and expects the rising six year old to improve sharply on his Autumn Carnival performances.
Excess Knowledge scored a first up Autumn win in the in the $70,000 PFD Food Services A.J. ‘Bert’ Lillye Memorial Handicap (1300m) at Kembla Grange on March 13 followed by a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Hyland Race Colours Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on March 28.
Waterhouse was tempted to push on to the Group 1 $3m The Star 150th Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on the first day of ‘The Championships’ with the Monsun stallion but elected to put him away with the Spring Carnival in mind.
“One of the horses I am most excited about is the imported entire Excess Knowledge,” Waterhouse wrote in her blog.
“Last time in, this boy won a race at Kembla Grange, then the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude. I could have easily pushed on with him towards the Doncaster and even the Queen Elizabeth but I felt he would benefit from a long spell heading towards the spring.”
“He has come back remarkably well and he is not too far away from heading to the trials.”
While Waterhouse hasn’t mapped out a definite Spring Carnival program for Excess Knowledge yet, the Group 1 $500,000 The Epsom (1600m) at Randwick in early October will no doubt be considered.
