The Xcellent one returns.....

[my miss storm cat]

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