Racing: Distance not the best for Xcellent

Part owner Paul Moroney believes Xcellent is up against it when he resumes in tomorrow's Mudgway.

"I felt he was right up to the mark for the Foxbridge Plate because it was a lesser class field than the one he will face this time. But I don't think he's up to the mark to win at 1400m in this field," said Moroney.

"I would not have been surprised if he'd won the Foxbridge if he'd lined up, but I'd be surprised if he's able to win the Mudgway.

"At 1400m he's racing at a distance well below his best.

"If Miss Potential gets a reasonably soft lead, she'd be capable of running the last 600m in 34. From where Xcellent will be in running he'd have to run his 600m in 33 and I don't think he's capable of that sort of speed from where he is in his preparation.

"If he wins we'll be ecstatic, if he finishes a place we'll be rapt and if he weighs in we'll know we're on the right track. The Melbourne Cup is his target, not the Mudgway."

Moroney says the stable is very disappointed Clean Sweep drew out at barrier No 14. "If she'd drawn in we gave her a royal chance of threatening. She's come up perfectly this preparation and has a great record when racing fresh.

"The other factor is the weather - she does not like rain affected footing. Let's hope the predictions for rain are wrong."

It is a long time since we've seen a feature race for which the weather holds all the picture cards.

Trainers of the likes of Miss Potential, Maroofity, Shinzig, Balmuse and Pacific Dancer are praying for good weather to the same level the connections of Irish Rover, Ben Sparta, Bulginbaah and Zvezda are hoping for rain.

Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning has the luxury of being happy either way for Magnetism.