Well-related filly Excelida has South Australian black-type features in her sights after a strong win at Sandown on Monday.
Racing in the well-known yellow and black checks of owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Excelida settled towards the rear of the field before pulling wide in the straight. Given clear running, Excelida let down well for jockey Damien Oliver to reel in the leaders and score a comfortable length victory in the Same Race Multi Handicap (1300m).
“It was a fantastic win and a great ride by Ollie,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
“He summed it up well from the gates and she really extended well to the line and was strong.”
It was the third win for the three-year-old filly who was last seen when unplaced at Caulfield a month ago.
“I think time has been a good thing for her and first up this prep she found the 1100m a bit on the short side,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig, said.
“Credit to Ollie, he said step her out and she will be fine and he was right.
“If we get her right we will probably look at taking her to Adelaide and targeting those black type races.”
Bred by Trelawney Stud in partnership with John and Di Struthers, Excelida was purchased from their draft at Inglis Easter for $460,000 and is a daughter of Exceed and Excel and Lady Sayyida, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winning sire Ocean Park and to the dam of the dual Group One winner and sire Grunt.
