Racing: Xcellent derby prelude

The "wise heads" of the Matamata-based stable of Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott will have an important meeting early next week.

Moroney and brother Paul will discuss the future racing plans of exciting three-year-old Xcellent, who confirmed his ranking as a leading contender for the $500,000 New Zealand Derby, with a classy victory at Ellerslie yesterday.

Xcellent overcame a lack of racing experience and starting over 2000 metres against older, more mature racehorses to record an impressive victory over Zeconquer and Senorita Rosay.

The Pentire-sired gelding was handled patiently by jockey Michael Coleman as this combination settled in last position before making a sustained run forward through the field over the closing 600 metres.

Xcellent loomed into a challenging position wide out on the home turn and lengthened stride in the hallmark of an equine athlete with a promising future when reeling in the pace-setting Zeconquer.

Xcellent drew clear over the closing 100 metres to win by 1 lengths over Zeconquer with a further 2 lengths back to Senorita Rosay (third).

This was an impressive hit out by the Moroney-Scott-trained three-year-old and a pointer to his growing reputation as a genuine contender for the New Zealand Derby on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

"We got the job done today and it was important to assess how the horse would handle this race outing," said co-trainer Andrew Scott.

"He's handled it well and copped everything that was thrown at him, including the trip up to Ellerslie today and racing on a right-handed track.

"We've made no secret of the fact that he is a Derby type of three-year-old and he's had an important hit out on this track over 2000 metres.

"It'll now be up to Mike and Paul to decide next week what the path will be heading into the New Zealand Derby.

"He's a very light framed horse and he doesn't take a lot of work to get him up to peak fitness because he's so clean winded.

"We may go straight into the Derby or he could have another run here at Ellerslie on Sunday week.

"Mike [jockey, Michael Coleman] does think that he may lack a little racing experience so he may need another run before the Derby."

Xcellent has had only two race starts for as many wins but clearly is on track to make it back-to-back wins for the Moroney-Scott stable in the $500,000 New Zealand Derby on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.