Exceed And Excel’s high-class three-year-old Instinction led home a one-two-three finish for Darley stallions when running out the brilliant winner of the Listed Zeditave Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on Australia Day, January 26.
Settling in fourth position along the inside, Instinction came through strongly in the straight to quicken into the lead with 200m to go, running on strongly ahead of Nadeem’s Listed winning son Specter and Lonhro’s son Petman in third after leading to the turn.
“He’s a good colt, that’s a big win to do that over 1000m.” said stable foreman Mick Nolan, trainer Mick Price in New Zealand for the yearling sales.
“His main aim this preparation is a race like the Australian Guineas so to win this today is very good. The horse will improve, this time in he has been 100 percent so I can’t see why he won’t go from here. He is bred to run a mile on his mother's side and Exceed And Excels get over a bit of ground these days.”
Bred by P Katelanis, who also shares in the colt’s ownership, Instinction has now won twice at Listed level and is the first foal of his G2-winning dam De Lago Mist, a daughter of Encosta de Lago, and comes from the family of G1 winner Wanted, G2 winner Shrapnel and Listed winners In The Mist and Fragmentation.
Exceed And Excel will be represented by four yearlings at the New Zealand Premier yearling sale, before being represented by 10 yearlings at the Inglis Premier yearling sale - the very same sale that Instinction was purchased at.
