Xcellent (NZ) right On track. 27 Apr 2007
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Michael Coleman gave Xcellent (NZ) (Pentire x Excello by Centro) the big "thumbs up" after putting him to his biggest speed test on the comeback trail at Matamata on Thursday morning.
As reported by NZ Racing News, working right-handed on the course proper, Xcellent (NZ) was allowed to stretch out over 600 metres between the 800 and 1400-metre marks and completed the task in 39.8.
Coleman, the multiple group one winner's regular rider, was thrilled with the hitout.
"I couldn't fault him," said Coleman.
"It's the quickest he's been asked to work since he's come back into work and when I let him slide along he felt great.
"He felt a lot better than he did when I rode him at three-quarter pace earlier and he was all right then.
"I've ridden him in work four or five times lately and he's felt better each time."
Trainers Mike and Paul Moroney are both in Australia at present, but the good news of yesterday morning's gallop soon reached them.
"Our foreman Gene Andrew said he worked really well ," said Paul Moroney.
"We've still got a bit more speed to put into his legs and that will tell whether the tendon is going to be all right, but at this stage everything is going well.
"The chiropractor went over him after he worked this morning and he can't fault him.
Xcellent (NZ) holds a nomination for the Gr I $A1 million AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 and it's unlikely he will be seen in a race before the Queensland feature.
"If he needs it he could have an exhibition gallop between races somewhere," said Moroney.
Xcellent (NZ) suffered the tendon problem soon after finishing a gallant third to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Gr I Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
On his way to the Melbourne Cup Xcellent (NZ) had won six of his eight starts, including the Gr I Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m) and Gr I Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m).
He was fresh-up when winning the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes and the impressive manner in which he flew home over the 1400 metres is one of the reasons behind targeting the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) over the same trip.
http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/sp...cing/?id=29030