Te Akau's Exciting Xtravagant Wows Boxing Day Crowd

www.stuff.co.nz reports:

The wow factor hit Ellerslie racecourse on Boxing Day.

It didn't come from the glitz and glamour of Fashion in the Field or the massive on-course crowd.

It came in the form of equine glamour boy Xtravagant who burnt his 1400 metre rivals in his first run back from a spell.

Before his break he destroyed the best 3-year-olds in the land in the Group I 2000 Guineas by 8.5 lengths and the manner of his comeback win raised hopes he will be destroying the Aussies in the new year.

In the meantime he will tackle Group I 3-year-old company in the Levin Classic (1600m) on January 16.

The good looking Pentire colt moved his experienced co-trainer Stephen Autridge to proclaim "he's special" as he awaited jockey Matt Cameron to return him to the birdcage.

"This is the race we wanted to get out of the way," Te Akau Racing's David Ellis said. "He's had no trial and he was vulnerable today but we want him at peak in March in Australia.

"The boys [ Autridge and training partner Jamie Richards] did a great job having him ready for today - he's a real athlete"

In a dramatic race, Xtravagant was up front and out of trouble as The Justice League clipped heels and crashed through the running rail after about 400m.

Jockey Lee Tiley was stood down for the day but escaped any serious injury and The Justice League was caught by the clerk of the course and trotted back to the stabling area.

Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Opie Bosson was suspended for causing the interference that led to the fall.

Bosson can continue to ride until New Year's Day but will then be out until after January 20.

Tiley was taken to hospital after being shaken up in the fall, but was "fine",  chairman of stewards John Oatham said.

Meantime, Xtravagant powered to victory in 1:22.62 for the 1400m compared with the 1:21.52 Mabeel took winning the preceding race.

Xtravagant, whose Australian mission is the A$750,000 Group I Australian Guineas in early March at Flemington, had a good puff suggesting he will strip much fitter at Trentham.

"He got a little bit tired but I didn't have to touch him," Cameron said. "He was really good."

Xtravagant beat home outsiders His Majesty and Ronchi.

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