Exuberance = Excellence

Second-up, Exuberance (3 f Savabeel – Miss Opulence, by O’Reilly) won the A$40,000 Benchmark 64 3YO 1200 metres on 13 March at Pakenham (Victoria).

A winner second-up over 1200 metres in her first campaign, and spelled following the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude over 1400m, Exuberance had stretched out strongly from back in the field for second when resuming in the Benchmark 64 1200 metres for three-year-old fillies on 19 February at Sandown, rated a top three chance. 

The well-bred filly has now won two of her five starts, with a second and third to boot, for owners Mr A Kheir, Mr J P Smithies, Mr J A O'Neill, Mr T R Maddern, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carty Racing, Madden Bloodstock, Cookie Racing, A K Racing, and Northern Beaches Racing.

Drawn barrier one, Exuberance mustered to secure an economical trip on the inner, was snookered in a tricky spot passing the 600m, but got across heels into clear air at the 200m and quickened away to win comfortably by a neat length. It was another promising performance. 

Exuberance was ridden by Melbourne premiership leading jockey Blake Shinn, who had a stellar day for Te Akau New Zealand's stable last Saturday at Ellerslie, recording the 100th Group One win for the stable aboard unbeaten two-year-old colt Return To Conquer (Snitzel) in the $550,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and RL Karaka Millions 3YO winning filly Damask Rose (Savabeel) in the inaugural running of the RL $3.5m NZB Kiwi.

“She gives you a lot of confidence, this girl,” said Shinn, on dismounting. 

“She hasn’t been easy, from day one, but Mark Walker’s training ability, Ben Gleeson, the whole staff, they’ve managed her exceptionally well.

“Tonight, when I got on her, it’s the first time I felt she’d turned the corner in her whole attitude. Her barrier manners, jumping out well and putting herself in a winning spot. And displaying a great turn of foot that she possesses.

“She did everything right and I think she’s on her way now.”

On Good4 footing, Exuberance ran 1200 metres in 1:09.6 and remained firm in betting to pay $5.30 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was really good to get that win at the Pakenham night meeting, and another gun ride of Blake Shinn’s,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He taught her a lot. She took a sit, had to come across heels and really savaged the line very well.”

Walker suggested it was time for another black type assignment, and Exuberance will prepare for the A$200,000 Listed Bendigo Guineas over 1400m on Saturday 12 April at Bendigo. 

“I’m really happy with her progress and Laura Winks has done a great job in track work with her,” Walker added. “The penny is starting to drop and things are falling into place with her.”

“I was happy with the way she travelled in the race, because in the past she’s had a tendency to get her head up,” said Te Akau Australia assistant trainer Ben Gleeson.

“It’s probably the first time in her career that everything has gone smoothly for her, and it’s a nice stepping stone to go out in trip now.

“She’s a Savabeel filly and Mark (Walker) was of the opinion that once she came over from New Zealand she’d furnish into a stakes’ filly.

“Last spring came a bit early for her, but she’s showed with that confidence building win that she can hopefully match her breeding, in time.  She’s won a pretty good race tonight. There were some handy horses in it.”

Exuberance is a sister to talented former stable-mate Zeitaku, purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. He was the winner of three races: 1300m – 1400m, and was from the family of Champion Middle Distance Horse Sir Slick and Group 1 NZ Derby winner (and sire) Puccini. 

Exuberance races in the navy blue and pale-yellow colours of Ozzie Kheir, carried by Sir Dragonet to win the Group 1 2020 Cox Plate, Verry Elegant in the Group 1 2020 Caulfield Cup and 2021 Group 1 Melbourne Cup, Pier in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas, Group 1 winner Molly Bloom, and fellow Kiwi bred Jimmysstar. 

Jimmysstar was particularly impressive when resuming with a win recently in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and is now preparing for the A$3 million Group 1 T J Smith Stakes on Saturday 5 April at Randwick. 

Gleeson added: “We’ve got three in the stable for Ozzie. We’ve got a couple of lovely two-year-olds and really happy to have the support of Ozzie and the fellow owners. 

“They’re wonderful silks and they’ve got a nice filly on their hands with Exuberance.”

Exuberance was bred by Joe and Max Smithies at Monovale Farm in Cambridge, who share in the ownership. 

Exuberance was strapped by Adrian Hug.