Vinery freshman Exceedance unearthed another live chance for this month’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes when Flyer accelerated through a narrow gap to win in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Flyer joins Dublin Down to have Exceedance double-handed in the $2million MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24. And her eye-catching debut was right on cue for vendors with the 16 Exceedance yearlings at Riverside Stables ahead of Sunday’s Inglis Classic Sale.
Flyer (2f Exceedance – Miss Toorak Flyer by Toorak Toff) was the only filly in the Fierce Impact Maiden Plate (1200m) and she looked right at home on the spacious Sandown Lakeside circuit. “We were initially going to the (Blue Diamond) Preview first-up last week but there would have been a bit more hustle and bustle,” trainer Jason Warren said.
“The bigger track was perfect and helped her balance up for the finish which worth waiting for today. She has an economic action and we have liked her the whole way through.”
Flyer is a homebred for Rosemont Stud owner Anthony Mithen and the decision to support Exceedance looked a winner when his first foals began arriving. “We sent seven mares and the filly from Miss Toorak Flyer is an eye-catcher,” Rosemont manager Ryan McEvoy deftly declared in the spring of 2021. “She has a lovely hip and shoulder and is as good a foal as you could want!”
Warren knows the family better than most and recalls training Miss Toorak Flyer to four wins around the Victorian provincials primarily with last-to-first finishes up to 1200m. “She was a touch difficult to catch race day but she sure is doing some job in the breeding barn as a Mum.”
The mare’s first foal Treasurway (Starspangledbannner) won last year’s SAJC Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) and she was followed by Flyer and her stunning three-quarter brother by Excel And Excel that sold for $650,000 to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at last month’s Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping Dublin Down will be ready for the Blue Diamond after suffering a slight setback. “He’s back and is galloping well,” McEvoy revealed earlier this week. “He will trial next Monday and that will tell us whether we’re a chance to go to the Blue Diamond or concentrate on the Victorian Sires’ Produce Stakes. He could also head to Sydney.”
Dublin Down gave Exceedance an early mark this season winning the VRC Maribyrnong Plate (Gr.3, 1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
The first Exceedance to sell at the Inglis Classic Sale on Sunday morning is the colt from Group 2 Emancipation Stakes winner Amberino (Perugino). Offered as Lot 69 by Vinery Stud (as agent), he’s a half-brother to Sydney and Melbourne Group 3-winning mare Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt).
