Gai uses her smarts to place import to perfection

Published: 11 Jun 2014

As soon as Excess Knowledge walked into the Theatre of the Horse at Royal Randwick on 24th May it was clear he was an above average galloper. A sleek and athletic staying type, he was produced in immaculate fashion by Gai Waterhouse at his first start in Australia after a promising lead-up trial. His competition in the race included some well performed 1400m horses such as Eigelstein and Generalife, which would be no easy task for a stallion that lacked the pure power of the southern hemisphere sprinters.

Excess Knowledge was on his toes and cheeky in the yard

While he drifted in early betting ahead of the race, there was some confidence over the last few minutes before he jumped at $6.50. Right from the time the barriers opened, Blake Shinn showed positive intent and pushed the horse forward, settling in second place outside the leader Loot'N'Run. Some vigorous riding in the straight delivered a brave run to the line, eventually just losing out to Eigelstein in the last 100m. Overall, it was an impressive first-up performance.

His much awaited second Australian start is on Saturday in the Freshmark Handicap (Race 8) over a more suitable 2000m and the field looks well within reach for a horse destined for higher quality races. He leads the market at $2.60 (TAB) from the Chris Waller trained I'm Imposing ($5.00), who is an older horse getting deep into his preparation. On the third line of betting is the mare Full Of Spirit ($8.00), trained by Peter Moody, a possible threat if she handles the rise to 2000m.

The super tough Casino Dancer and towering stayer Senta Desert also line up, but they will all have to be at their very best to compete with a four year old stallion that looks a horse to follow.