9 Aug 2017
True Excelsior, a $450,000 Cambridge Stud graduate, opened her account at Geelong on Wednesday, becoming the latest winner for the famed Eight Carat family.
Bred by Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan, Exceed And Excel filly True Excelsior was knocked down to Rosemont Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, True Excelsior was placed at her first two runs earlier this year but returned from a spell to post her first win.
She made use of gate one to track the leaders, travelling on the fence for Ben Thompson and then forging clear at the finish to win the 1100m maiden by the best part of a length.
Entered for the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in October, True Excelsior is a half-sister to Group Three-placed Diamond Valores and stakes-placed Special Lover and is the fourth winner for Zabeel mare Special Diamond, a sister to Group One winner and sire Don Eduardo and three-quarter sister to Group One winner Tristalove.
Considering the depth of her pedigree, chasing black type will no doubt be a priority for connections this spring.
Later at Geelong, the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred Stravinsky mare Crystal Fountain maintained her unbeaten record in a Benchmark Rating 70 sprint.
It was her fourth win in as many starts for trainers Lee and Anthony Freedman and has set her on the path to stakes company later this preparation. - Breednet.com.au, Staff Writer