Xtravagant Pleases in Exhibition Gallop

The Informant reports:

All reports were positive from the Te Akau Racing camp following Xtravagant's exhibition gallop at Te Aroha today.

The striking colt galloped his last 800 metres in 48.28 seconds and the 600 metres in 34.92 seconds in preparation for the Gr. 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes at Te Rapa on April 30.

“He went a nice half mile,” said Jamie Richards who prepares the three-year-old in partnership with Stephen Autridge.

“He's done some nice work at home and we've still got a little bit of time to finish him off for next Saturday, so we're very happy with where he's at.

“Matt (Cameron) was very happy with him. There is a theory that perhaps he is better left-handed but today, right-handed and four or five lengths off the rail, Matt said he changed legs lovely and that he got through the track brilliant.”

Xtravagant was a winner on debut at two before claiming the Gr. 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas last November and the Gr. 1 Waikato Sprint in February. He then crossed the Tasman for the Gr. 1 Australian Guineas, where a below-par performance for eighth saw him return to New Zealand to spell ahead of a spring campaign.

However, a decision was made to bring the colt back into work with a view to a possible campaign in Brisbane, with the Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap potential targets.

“He's a colt and he does carry a bit of condition and Dave (Ellis) just didn't want to leave him out too long so he came back in and the Cambridge Breeders' looked an ideal option,” said Richards.

“If he was to come out and win at Te Rapa then Brisbane is on the agenda. But we'll just take it one step at a time."

Xtravagant's raceday manners have been a focus for Richards and Autridge.

“He went to Tauranga for a day out on Saturday and he has been going around the traps a little bit,” said Richards.

“He was was pretty good out the back today, but he got a little bit excited when he came back. His attitude does seem to be improving and it's something that we have been working on because he can get a little bit excited on raceday.”