Racing: Hopes die on heavy Randwick

New Zealand hopes of its first AJC Derby winner since Bonecrusher 19 years ago were dashed by a heavy track yesterday, with favourite Xcellent struggling into eighth place.

He did not handle the testing conditions, according to jockey Michael Coleman.

"He just could not pick himself up," Coleman said.

He was working on the gelding with 1600m to go to keep in touch with the field.

Eremein won a slow race from Stella Grande and Railings.

Wanganui gelding King Johny battled on bravely from the back of the field to finish fourth, just over three lengths behind the winner.

Xcellent came to Sydney with a booming reputation after winning his first four starts, including the New Zealand Derby and the weight-for-age Darley New Zealand Stakes.

But he had no form on tracks worse than easy, and rain early yesterday and again after racing started left a big query over him, despite punters sticking with him and sending him out a $2.90 favourite.

The track was downgraded to heavy just before the DErby and Xcellent raced at the back of the field.

When Coleman hooked him out wide coming into the straight, it was clear he was struggling.

He ran past a couple in the straight, but was 10 lengths behind Eremein when they crossed the line.

"He tried his guts out," Coleman told trainer Mike Moroney.

Xcellent would head home now for a spell and would return in the spring with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups as his target, Moroney said.

King Johny will also return home for a spell, but trainer Raymond Connors was reluctant to target the rich Melbourne races in the spring.

"We probably have to win a few at home first," he told NZPA.

Connors said he was very happy with his horse's effort.

Magnetism restored some lost New Zealand pride when he easily won the listed Carbine Club Stakes.

The Marju gelding was clearly superior over the 3-year-olds in the 1600m event and gave Matamata jockey Michael Coleman a much easier ride than he had with Xcellent.

Magnetism, who beat top New Zealand filly Justa Tad in the Great Northern Guineas this month, was always travelling well and challenged strongly at the top of the Randwick rise.

He beat Afraah by 1 1/4 lengths and looked to have plenty in hand.

"He's a very competitive horse," Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning said afterwards.

"If he comes through it well he will run in the (group three) Frank Packer Plate next week."

Magnetism, who paid $12.30 for the win on the New South Wales TAB, will return home after the Packer Plate.

- NZPA