FORMER Queensland based gelding Excellent Man sounded a warning that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks following an impressive win in the Betfair Maiden Plate over 1400 metres on the Derwent track (inside grass) at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Monday.
The David and Scott Brunton-trained four-year-old produced an eye-catching effort at his first start in the state when second to Zac’s Monty at The TOTE Racing Centre on Launceston Cup day.
He settled second behind the eventual winner and while he was beaten convincigly he was first up from a 20-week break.
With that run under his belt Excellent Man (Hussonet-Excellent Song) stripped much fitter for Monday’s assignment and had the race won a long way from home.
He showed good early speed to lead comfortably after traveling 200 metres and he settled well for rider Michael Guthrie.
When Guthrie called on his charge to extend nearing the top of the straight the gelding responded by booting three lengths clear and went on to hit the line with a two-length margin over Date And Sign with the winner’s stablemate Sand Or Stars 1=1/2 lengths away third.
Excellent Man has had only seven starts for a win and two minor placings but jockey Guthrie is confident the gelding can expand his win ratio in the coming months.
Listen to what jockey Michael Guthrie had to say about Excellent Man’s win in the Betfair Maiden Plate over 1400 metres in Hobart – click here .