McEvoy Mitchell Racing bought 11 yearlings at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale while back home at Ballarat their exciting Exceedance colt Dublin Down has been ticking along nicely ahead of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24.

Among the Gold Coast buys is the Exceedance – Sharpness (Wanted) colt that made $160,000 out of the Vinery draft on Day 1.  “He’s a ripper and will get up and run early just like Dublin Down,” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy said.  “He’s a sharp-looking, precocious type with a brilliant attitude coupled with a deep girth, great hip and a powerful hindquarter.”

His 3yo half-brother Even Sharper (More Than Ready) was a facile five-length winner at Strathalbyn last month and his trainer Andrew Gluyas is predicting further wins in better company in the second-half of this season.

Meanwhile, McEvoy Mitchell Racing Manager Rayan Moore reports Dublin Down is on track to resume racing after the stable elected to bypass the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) last week in favour of a Blue Diamond prep closer to home.

“Tony and Calvin have been very happy with his progress but he won’t be entered for the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day,” Moore said.  “His first run back will be in either the Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr.3, 1100m) on February 10 or the Talindert Stakes (LR, 1100m) on February 17.”

Dublin Down (2c Exceedance – Dublin Lass by O’Reilly) was last seen winning the VRC Maribyrnong Plate (Gr.3, 1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.  The McEvoys are confident he’s going to be contesting bigger and better things in 2024 with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) a likely target in the spring.

Dublin Down was the top-priced Exceedance at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions and his market-leader last week was the $330,000 colt from Runway Star (Northern Meteor) on Day 1 at the Gold Coast.  He was purchased by Chris Waller and the champion trainer weighed in with another $130,000 for the Exceedance colt from Tracy’s Image (Encosta De Lago) on Day 2.

Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) had all four of his Book 1 yearlings find new homes at an average of $165,000.