The Richard and Will Freedman-trained filly Excelluna (Exceed And Excel) was impressive when clinching victory in her second career trial at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday morning. The juvenile ran third to subsequent Saturday winner Warwoven (Sword Of State) in her debut trial and put the pressure on her rivals early in Tuesday’s heat, leading into the home straight where she comfortably extended her margin to a length and two thirds over Sky Deck (Written Tycoon).
Amongst the first acceptances for both the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes and the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, the filly was a NZ$500,000 purchase for her trainers at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Trelawney Stud.
She is the fourth foal out of Listed-placed winner Addison (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), a half-sister to Yulong sire Grunt (NZ) and G2 Matriarch Stakes winner Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel). The immediate family also includes Ocean Park (NZ) and dual Group 2 winner Shanwah (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who headed to Hong Kong in August.
Addison’s So You Think (NZ) filly will be offered by Trelawney Stud at Karaka next month as Lot 250, and the mare visited Paddington (GB) this spring.