Born To Excel in Eastern States

Exciting sprinter Born To Excel is poised to join Perth’s elite gallopers heading interstate next month.

The Yarradale Stud homebred has the potential to make the grade on the eastern seaboard according to trainer Dan Morton.  “He’s a top-liner and is all set for a terrific preparation,” Morton predicted.  “I will give him one more run here before ear-marking a program over east.”

Morton knows what’s required to take on the nation’s best sprinters after claiming the 2009 VRC Lightning Stakes – Newmarket Hcp double at Flemington with Scenic Blast.

Born To Excel (4h Exceed And Excel – Born Priceless by Pricelessly) returned from a spell to win the Facebook Perth Racing Hcp (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.  It was his fourth win in an 8 start career that was punctuated by a throat surgery last year.

“I was wrapt with that win,” Morton said.  “He was held up at the top of the straight and had to let down quickly with 60kg.  There’s improvement to come – he’s a colt and is still carrying a fair bit of condition.”

Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers races Born To Excel in partnership with Steve and Helen Palmer, Peter Blackburn and Greg Black.  Sayers retained a share after selling him for $200,000 at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions.

Morton predicted a bright future for Born To Excel after the colt won on debut as a spring three year-old in October 2011.  “There’s class stamped all over him,” Morton claimed.  “Exceed And Excel is a great stallion and his dam had a lot of ability, too.”

Born Priceless won the 2001 Karrakatta Plate in Yarradale’s colours and her family’s more recent Group 1 updates have come via Rostova (SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes) and Imananabaa (NZ Railway Hcp).

Yarradale Stud has catalogued a Rock Of Gibraltar – Born Priceless colt as Lot 36 at the Perth Magic Millions next month.  The mare’s yearlings have been very popular at the sales – six of them have changed hands for a total of $1.56 million.

– Karl Patterson

BORN TO EXCEL
Yarradale homebred heading to eastern seaboard