Racing: Workout leaves trainers in Xcellent spirits

Camp Xcellent left Rotorua racecourse delighted yesterday.

The $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes favourite had one of his final pieces of fast work for New Zealand's richest horse race on Saturday week and everyone was happy.

"We're rapt," said managing part-owner Paul Moroney.

"The track was a fair bit wetter than we would have preferred, but he coped and had a nice blow afterwards."

Xcellent and stablemate Cut The Cake began at the 1900m and did a working gallop from the winning post. They ran the last 1200m in 1.16.8 and final 600 in 39.

"Dr Green ran the 1200m in 1.14.8 in another exhibition gallop, but he went only the 1200m. Xcellent and Cut The Cake had a solid working gallop."

Dr Green is to race in the $100,000 Hawkes Bay Guineas on Kelt day and was ridden yesterday by raceday jockey Hayden Tinsley.

Xcellent scored a breathtaking win when resuming in the $150,000 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on August 27.

Regular rider Michael Coleman said he gave Xcellent "a squeeze" not far from the finish of the gallop.

"He had a good enough working gallop with a blow without doing too much."

Training partner Mike Moroney arrived from Melbourne on Tuesday night to supervise Xcellent's final preparation through to the Kelt Capital on Saturday week and was delighted with what he saw.

"He has come a fair way since I last saw him," said Mike Moroney.

Xcellent was the $1.85 favourite for the Kelt with the New Zealand TAB yesterday, ahead of Balmuse on $7.50, St Reims at $8, Magnetism at $10, The Jewel on $11 and Cedar Manor, the only other one in the market, at $16.

Cut The Cake, winner of the 2003 New Zealand Derby, was fourth at Ellerslie on September 10 when resuming after a spell and is also a likely runner at Hastings on Kelt day.