Calliope simply superb in Gimcrack win

Exceed And Excel appears to have another talented two-year-old on his hands as his daughter Calliope overcame an indifferent start to claim the Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Royal Randwick on October 3.

Missing the start, the John O’Shea-trained filly settled back in the field, before making a little ground throughout the run.

Forcing her way to the outside as the field rounded the home turn, Calliope sprinted extremely impressively to take the lead at the 100m mark, pulling away for a length-and-a-quarter victory.

Giving the progeny of the Darley stallions back to back wins in the race after the victory of Lonhro filly Calaverite last year, Calliope was bred by Darley in Australia.

The third foal of the stakes-performed Elusive Quality mare Melpomene, Calliope is the second Stakes performer for her dam, joining Thalia (Medaglia d’Oro), who was placed in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.

The sire of 108 Stakes winners, 10 at G1 level, Exceed And Excel has recorded nine individual Stakes winners in the past five weeks and is standing the current season at Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $110,000 (inc. GST) alongside his G2-winning son Sidestep at a fee of $11,000 (inc. GST), while triple G1-winner Helmet stands at Northwood Park in Victoria at a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST) as does speedster Kuroshio at $8,800 (inc. GST).