3rd last. :(

He raced in his usual position, well back in the field, but he didn't accelerate the way he usually does in the wet ground. One day he'll run on a dry track in Australia and then they'll see the real Xcellent.

Okay thanks for telling me and at least he wasn't last.....

It's amazing that he's even back and it's been so long now..... not making excuses for him and I've said before that i really don't throw out races - it is what it is - BUT with the injury and being off for so long? It's okay.

Next time. He's a champion and even if he never wins another race? It can't take away from who he is.

I think he'll win the next one though.

To Xcellent! Cheers. :)

Thanks for the news. I'd rather hear it here anyway from a friendly voice...

I think he'll win next time too. :)

It was a good win by the lightweight Snipers Bullet anyway, just ahead of a very game Gold Edition.

Hey ed...

Let me know if you hear anything about our boy.:)

Thanks!

Apparently they've sent him back home and will aim him at spring racing...so we probably won't see him again until August.

Oh well... at least we got to see him.

Thanks.

And the trainer says his legs are fine, which is what he was most worried about.

They just want to wait for drier tracks and more suitable races for him.

:)

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...asp?NID=107772

Damn.


Feel better, good boy.


Xcellent doubtful for spring racing 15 Aug 2007

By Rob Burnet

The multiple Group I winner Xcellent (NZ) has another injury that is likely to mean that the now six-year-old will miss the 2007 spring racing season.

Flemington and Matamata trainer Mike Moroney confirmed on Wednesday that a shoulder injury to Xcellent means that he will have to be spelled again.

“He has a deep seated muscle tear of the shoulder,” said Moroney.

Moroney said that the Matamata stable had previously had to back of from Xcellent track training due to the injury and they then walked that horse for a week. However, the injury reappeared and Xcellent is unable to work.

“When it reoccurs you have got trouble,” said Moroney.

'It would take a minor miricle for him to carry on.'

Xcellent is due to be checked by prominent Matamata vet Jim Marks before a final decision is made.

Xcellent received tendon injuries after his brilliant third behind Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup and he was then restored to work racing trim after stem cell treatment.

Moroney then worked the Pentire gelding back to the race track for a one off unplaced run in the 2007 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm in June, before another spell, and then spring training.

Moroney has better news on Jokers Wild who will commence his spring in the Group I Mudgeway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings.

A decision would be taken after that run if the horse would have another run in New Zealand or join Moroney’s Flemington stable for racing over the 2007 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.

:(
He's so injury-prone.

It's annoying, he's one of the best horses I've ever seen race (probably only behind Sunline and Zonda), but he's had so few starts and so many injury layoffs. He's never shown everyone over in Australia how good he is either. :(

I hope he comes back from this. I'd hate to think I'll never see X charging down the outside of a racetrack again.

:)

http://www.xcellent.co.nz/diary.page

http://www.nzracingnews.co.nz/trackw...-ryan-116.html
I have an exam that morning...but I'll be there. :D

Oh yea!!!!!

Thanks for posting it!!!!!

Damn, have to wait a bit longer. :(
There's a G3 race over a mile that day, I'm guessing that'll be his target.

:)

http://www.nzracingnews.co.nz/news-a...-for-hoop.html

Moroney Gives Thumbs Up To Duo
Friday, 23 November 2007

Mike Moroney got his first sight of Xcellent (pictured) at speed for three months yesterday and he immediately gave the multiple Gr I winner the thumbs up for a return to racing at Ellerslie tomorrow week. Xcellent did an exhibition gallop between races with the Lance Noble-trained Kirra Sand and the pair ran 1200 metres in 1:12, the last 1000m in 1:1 and final 600m in 35.

"I thought he look the part and it was a very good hitout," said Moroney, who trains the Derby winner in partnership with his brother, Paul.

"He will have derived a lot of benefit from the gallop and will work again at speed on Saturday.

"He's been off the scene for a long time so it's hard to know what to expect at Ellerslie.

"He'll be better for the run for sure, but he should still go a good race."

Xcellent has had just one run within the last couple of years and that was when unplaced in the Gr I Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm during the last Queensland Winter Carnival.

Having not seen Xcellent for so long, Moroney says he can notice the difference in the horse.

"The last time I saw him he was pretty chubby," said Moroney.

"He's fined down a bit, but apart from that he's certainly a different horse to train now.

"He's more mature.

"He was just starting to mature in the autumn when everything went wrong."

After contesting the Gr III $77,000 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie tomorrow week Xcellent is likely to return to that course for the Gr I Zabeel Classic (wfa 2000m) on December 26.

"We could look at the Australian Cup in Melbourne in the autumn if he comes up well, but we're taking it one step at a time," said Moroney.

Moroney has also given the all-clear for Shariat's On Fire to contest the Gr II $200,000 Eagle Technology Counties Cup at Ellerslie tomorrow.

The horse hadn't worked up to expectations at Matamata yesterday and Moroney did say there was a chance he might be turned out for a spell instead of contesting the Counties feature.

"But he ate up well over night and he seems bright enough," said Moroney.

"It was a bit hard to get a line on him yesterday with the fog and he appeared to work upside down, going quick early and slowing over the final stages.

"I'm happy for him to run tomorrow and we'll see what he does before making any other plans."

http://www.nzracingnews.co.nz/news-a...up-to-duo.html

Update.....

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz/?id=32467

Can't wait to see him on Saturday!

He might find the 1600m too short, especially against class horses like Wahid. He's so good at his best though, hope he goes well.

Racing was called off after 3 races today. :mad:

The track was dangerous though so it was the right decision, but I was so excited about seeing X. :(

Apparently they plan to run the other 7 races on Monday. The track was a mess today though, don't see how it can be any better on Monday.

Awww well I'm glad they're being safe.

Hope you get to see him!

I did see him! He looked great, with big Xs on his ass. :D

How did he go in the race, you ask? Look for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywz0stHNwWU

OH MY GOD!!!!!

Okay the link is a little weird... played it twice and at the beginning it sounds like the race caller took waaaaay too much speed. It stops and then there's no sound BUT I'd regognize that boy anywhere.....

HE

LOOKED

GREAT!!!!!!!! :) :cool:

Hmm sorry about that video. Don't know what happened. :confused:

Don't be sorry, I appreciate that you posted it!

Just tried it again... same thing.

I'd think it'll be on his site soon enough. :)

http://www.xcellent.co.nz/replays.page

2nd but closing fast...

Sir Slick wins

Sir Slick is such a tough horse to run down when he's on his best form (which obviously he was today!). Don't think anyone could be disappointed with Xcellent today even though he was second best.

Here's a video of the race: http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

Thrilled for him and cheers to Sir Slick.

Thanks for the replay. :)

Beautiful run!!!

If he goes to Dubai for the 2400 meter race, I'm all over him.

They definitely want to go to that, but they want to go to the Australian Cup at Flemington first and it sounds like there's a travel issue from Australia to Dubai due to EI.

I'd love to see him in Dubai too, hope he gets there.

Xcellent is entered in the G3 Trentham Stakes on Saturday. It's a weak and small field, I think he's scared them off!

He'll win.

Can't wait!

Ed, what happened?

He won but was pulled up???

Oh God.

Poor boy.

He's been through so much now.....

Sad.

Jubilation and despair for Xcellent 19 Jan 2008

By Jeff Dore

Jubilation quickly turned to heartache for connections of Xcellent (6 B. G. Pentire – Excelo) when rider Michael Coleman dismounted the champion galloper beyond the winning post after recording an emphatic victory in the $100,000 Group III WRC Trentham Stakes (2400m) raced under weight-for-age conditions at Trentham on Saturday.

Once led back to the stable enclosure Xcellent had ice applied to his leg and was soon on the road to Massey University for diagnosis and treatment. While the outcome of the injury saga is not life threatening, it is suspected that a cracked canon bone in his nearside foreleg or a suspensory ligament injury may have occurred.

Xcellent wasn’t the only casualty in a race marred by injury. Both third placed Everswindell (Align) and Twinkling (Star Way) pulled up lame, with Everswidell sporting suspected cannon bone problems, and Twinkling a fetlock injury.

Prior to the fateful outcome post-race, it had been the Xcellent of old careering down the centre of the track to victory. After biding his time at the rear of a nine-horse field, Xcellent appeared to have plenty of petrol in the tank when Coleman eased him into a challenging position at the 400 metres. He quickly swept to the lead, established a winning break, and sustained his run to the line.

Three Chimneys (Generous) gave a rousing performance for third with a view to his assault on the Group I Century City Developments Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham next Saturday, while Everswindell capped terrific recent form to finish third.

The first three across the line dominated the race, with margins of one length, a neck, then three and a quarter lengths to fourth.

It was dreadful for all that had witnessed the race, whether it was live or by other means, to have rooted for the hot-favourite and champ to get home, and then watch him return with the knowledge that something was amiss.

For his owners G W Breingan, G K V Holdings Ltd, M J Gatt, P A Heath, D A Nicholson & Wellington Racing Syndicate, trainers Mike and Paul Moroney, breeder G F Gimblett Family Trust, rider Michael Coleman, and all the staff associated with the horse, it is genuinely hoped that Xcellent can make a full recovery.

Xcellent’s record stands at thirteen starts for eight wins and stakes of $1,643,325.

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz/?id=33160

Anyone have news?

:(

Xcellent's career in the balance


Saturday, 19 January 2008:

The racing career of star galloper Xcellent is in the balance after the horse broke down following his win in the Group Three Trentham Stakes in Wellington.

Delight turned to despair within a matter of a seconds for trainer Mike Moroney.

"He won with a bit in hand," Moroney told one well-wisher as he appeared in the birdcage.

But when rider Michael Coleman dismounted in the back straight as Xcellent pulled up, Moroney immediately feared the worst.

"I hope he hasn't broken down," he said.

His fears were soon realised. He and his training partner, brother Paul, walked out onto the racetrack as Xcellent was walked back by strapper Chrissy Clements and a clerk of the course.

The crowd hushed as race caller Tony Lee announced there was something with amiss with Xcellent and everyone began to watch television monitors showing a riderless Xcellent.

Paul Moroney said the early signs for Xcellent were not good.

"The first prognosis is it's something like a cracked cannon bone, a sesamoid or something in the joint," he told NZPA.

It did not appear related to the tendon injuries which curtailed Xcellent's career after he finished third to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

"It doesn't look like it is the tendons at all," Moroney said.

It was a second tragedy for the stable in two days after Group One winner Jokers Wild was put down in Melbourne after failing to recover from a blood infection.

Paul Moroney said Xcellent's new injury was gut-wrenching.

"I'm in a bit of shock. The strapper's really upset, the jockey's obviously very upset, the owners are upset, I'm upset."

Moroney did not say Xcellent's racing career was over.

"It's not life threatening, we don't think," he said.

A visibly upset Coleman said Xcellent did not falter during the running of the race.

"We got there (to the front) pretty quickly and then he gawked about a bit which he has done a bit in the past," Coleman said.

"Then he wandered about a bit but he didn't falter at that stage.

"But as soon as he pulled up to a trot he was pretty sore."

In a double drama, Everswindell, third behind Xcellent and Three Chimneys, also pulled up lame and rider Noel Harris dismounted too, walking back to the birdcage.

"I was going to run an easy second," Harris said.

"She was pretty sore when she pulled up."

Everswindell is thought to have an injury similar to that of Xcellent.

The mare won the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November and was being prepared for next Saturday's Wellington Cup, a race in which she finished third last year.

Xcellent, a Pentire six-year-old gelding, has a record of 13 starts for eight wins, one second and one third and stake earnings of $1.64 million.

Among his best wins were the 2004 New Zealand Derby and the 2005 Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings.

He was being prepared for an international campaign, which included the World Cup meeting in Dubai in March.

NZPA
http://www.racingandsports.com.au/racing/rsNewsArt.asp?NID=119408&story=Xcellent's_career_i n_the_balance

Lets hope it's nothing too bad for him. I suppose it isn't as bad as if he'd done a tendon again.

Terrible luck for the trainer, I have no idea how he must be feeling right now.

I added him to retirements..... :(

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/sho...t=3703&page=16

Xcellent a once in a lifetime horse


Sunday, 20 January 2008:

Paul Moroney tried to put up a philosophical front on Sunday as he confirmed the retirement of star galloper Xcellent.

Moroney, who trains in partnership with his Melbourne based brother Mike, said Xcellent's racing career was over after he broke down following his win in the Group Three Trentham Stakes on Saturday.

Xcellent was transported on Saturday night to the renowned veterinary clinic at Massey University in Palmerston North. But the vet report was not good, Moroney said.

"He has a severe suspensory damage in his left ankle and a couple of bone chips at the front of the fetlock," Moroney said.

"They have said in their opinion it is a career-ending injury. The damage is severe.

"I think we just have to face the facts that Xcellent's stellar career is over."

Saturday's incident completed a sad two days for the Moroney stable.

On Friday, the stable's former top two and three-year-old Jokers Wild was put down in Melbourne after failing to recover from a blood infection.

Paul Moroney said he would try to put the two events behind him when it came to the routine of trackwork at Matamata on Monday.

"Tomorrow morning you get up and you go to the training track and there's 55 other horses there to be trained and nurtured through their racing careers," he said.

"Life goes on but certainly losing two horses like that leaves a big hole in the stable. But you just have to put it behind you and carry on."

There was, however, a lump in Moroney's throat as he spoke of Xcellent who was cut down in his prime by tendon injuries after finishing third in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

"He was a once in a lifetime horse, especially after what we had already been through," he said.

"The disappointing part, I believe, is we never saw what he was truly capable of.

"While he was described as a freak and super star earlier in his career, he probably missed the best two years of his career."

Xcellent was sidelined from racing for 20 months with the tendon injuries and then incurred a shoulder injury when being prepared for spring racing last year.

Moroney said Xcellent was the most talented horse with whom he had been associated.

"Without any doubt. To win at Group One level from 1400 to 2400 metres and to be placed in a Melbourne Cup at just his ninth start - he was just an absolute freak."

Xcellent won the 2004 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the following year took out the first leg of the Hawke's Bay Group One spring treble, the Mudgway Stakes before scoring in the third leg, the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m).

Two starts later he was third to Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup.

This season he suffered his only defeat from nine starts on New Zealand soil when second to Sir Slick in the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on December 26.

His overall record is 13 starts for eight wins, one second and one third.

Moroney said a splint had been placed on Xcellent's injured left front leg which would enable to the horse to be sent home on Monday. The recovery period could be up to six months.

"We'll probably get him back up to Matamata tomorrow and care for him at the stable for a couple of months and another four months in a confined space.

"It's going to need a lot of management to heel the injury to a stage where he can have quality of life, where he can get out and be in a paddock like a normal horse."

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...asp?NID=119446