Dublin Down (AUS)
Dublin Down (AUS)
2 c Exceedance – Dublin Lass by O’Reilly
O: R J Pawsey, S M George, Ms R C Parker, N B Smith, M Nalder, P J Beretta, W R Bowker, P A Dickson, B Clarke, J Flynn, Mrs D Flynn & Mrs L Nalder
B: Edinburgh Park
T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
S: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Edinburgh Park P: McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency, $370,000
W: Maribyrnong Plate, Group 3, 1000m, November 7, Flemington
Vinery Stud’s first-season sire Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) got off the mark in style when Dublin Down became his first winner when landing the Maribyrnong Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) at Flemington on Cup day.
Fourth in last month’s Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on debut before finishing runner-up to Admitted (Brazen Beau) in a Bendigo maiden, the colt’s race experience proved a factor as he rallied to score narrowly but well from his highly regarded Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stablemate Blue Stratum (Blue Point).
Speaking from the US , where he is being kept busy at the breeding stock sales, Vinery Stud’s bloodstock manager Adam White said: “He was a lovely individual at the sales and he’s been well educated and well primed for this Group race.
“His first two runs were very encouraging, especially that first run at Flemington. I think he really let down quite well, but he was in the middle of the track, he possibly got a little bit lost. Having those two runs under his belt made the difference, for sure.”
Calvin McEvoy was happy with both of the stable’s colts and believes Dublin Down may be capable of stretching out in distance as he matures.
“It is a job to get these two-year-olds up and going and to handle it on an occasion like today and both of our colts handled it beautifully,” McEvoy said. “These are horses that are going to get better and the winner, he’s going to be a lovely horse. A Guineas-style horse next year.”
Bred by Edinburgh Park, Dublin Down was a $370,000 purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency out of his breeders draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, making him the highest-priced yearling sold by the sire at the January auction and the highest-priced colt by the stallion sold this year. He is the first foal out of the dual Listed-winning O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Dublin Lass. Exceedance stands for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).