Exceed And Excel colts impress

The Exceed And Excel colts Hiemal and Osorno have emerged as likely candidates for Godolphin in the opening juvenile races of the Australian season after turning in winning efforts at Monday’s official two-year-old trials in Sydney.

Not surprisingly for a stallion regarded as Australia’s preeminent source of speed and precocity, Exceed And Excel was well-represented with four trial winners.

Hiemal, a brother to the G2 winner and Darley stallion Kuroshio, displayed perfect racing manners and high speed in his heat, jumping cleanly, settling on the pace and surging clear to win in fast time.

His stablemate Osorno, whose dam Antillanca is a half-sister to the multiple stakes winner Ghisoni, also showed clear superiority in his heat and along with Hiemal, is under consideration for a start in the Listed Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on September 30.

“Hiemal and Osorno certainly look the most likely Breeders’ Plate runners,” said trainer James Cummings.

“We’ll see how they all come through today’s runs before making a decision, but it looks like we have some nice youngsters.”

Exceed And Excel also produced some likely runners from the fillies’ heats, with Godolphin’s Quaintly one of the more impressive.

After rearing up as the gates opened and standing the field a 10 length start, Quaintly steamed home to be beaten two lengths into third place and become a possible candidate for the Listed Gimcrack Stakes, also on September 30.

“She has to trial again to get clearance from the stewards after missing the start today, but she showed a lot of ability,” Cummings said.

Cummings was also impressed with the effort of Sergeant, a Helmet colt who bears a strong resemblance to his sire, who finished a comfortable third in his heat.