Racing: Quick recovery rate impresses

Just An Excuse was in an aggressive mood at Alexandra Park on Friday night after his victory in the first qualifying heat of the 2005 Inter Dominion Pacing Series.

Robert Mitchell, his trainer and constant companion, could not believe how quickly the pacer recovered after his race outing.

"As soon as he came off the track after the race I knew he was very well because he was very frisky and full of himself," said Mitchell.

"The race obviously didn't harm him as he was a real handful to walk around the stabling area. I had to get my partner [Sandy Stuart] to ride in the float with him on the way home because he was kicking and carrying on but he soon calmed down.

"I took him down to Raglan beach on Saturday morning and walked him in the surf for about 45 minutes and he's very well.

"I've done a lot of planning preparing this horse for the Inter Dominion Series and everything is under control at the moment.

"He didn't have a real hard run when he won on Friday night as Todd [Mitchell, regular driver] gave him a nice sit on the pace and he only had to sprint over the closing 400 metres.

"The race I want to win is the [Mach Three] $750,000 Inter Dominion Grand Final on March 18 and all I want to do is nurse him through these two remaining rounds of qualifying heats."

Just An Excuse was driven patiently by Todd Mitchell. They settled three places back on the outer before sweeping forward three wide to challenge the leaders with 400 metre remaining.

He scored by 1 1/2 lengths over Linford Christie and Flashing Red (third).

The 2200 metres was covered in 2.44.5 (mile rate 2.00.4) with closing 800 metre and 400 metre sectionals of 57.1 seconds and 28 seconds.

Just An Excuse will have to overcome another difficult second-row draw on Tuesday night in the second row 1700 metre sprint heats.

The 6-year-old will start from barrier 12 - a tough assignment against consistent performers Hexus (barrier one), Jagged Account (three), Young Rufus (four), Scorching (six) and Mister D G (eight).