Winning Horse: Exeter (Aus)

5yoG Fastnet Rock (Aus) - Vivacious Spirit (Aus)(Bel Esprit (Aus))

22 starts - 5 wins 2 thirds 4 fourths $309935

Other Wins

1st Moonee Valley Chandler Macleod Grand (Bm80) 1200m (2021)

1st Pakenham Synthetic Pakenham Produce/Saddlery-Bm64 1200m (2020)

1st Mornington Progress Signs (Bm64) 1200m (2019)

1st Sale Ladbrokes 2Yo Mdn Plate 1212m (2019)

Other Placings

3rd Caulfield Ian Miller (Bm78) 1200m (2021)

3rd Pakenham Sportsbet Same Race Multi-Bm64 1200m (2021)

Race Result:

1st: Exeter (Damian Lane/Danny O’Brien) - $13

2nd: The Gauch (Jye McNeil/Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) - $3.20F
3rd: Fine Dane (Patrick Moloney/John Moloney) - $17

Winning Time: 1:10.21 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: Short Neck x Short Neck

Winning Trainer: Danny O’Brien (Stable Rep: Ben Gleeson - speaking)

“It was good to see him do it this early in the prep and at this time of year. We’ve got a few big weeks fo spring coming up and I’m sure there’s nice race for him.

“He’s a pretty big, strong horse and it takes him a bit to get fit. That is why it is a positive sign that he is winning second-up for us.

“It took a few runs for us to get to know him and get to know his idiosyncrasies. He saluted at the mile on All Star Mile day so he’s got a good affiliation with this track.

Sprint trips the trick: “He’s a straightforward and has a great turn-of-foot on him so don’t have to do so much with him and keep him fresh. Keep the speed in his legs and that paid tonight.”

Winning Jockey: Damian Lane

“I was always confident there was going to be a run there because The Gauch was going to take me so far into the race. Travelled really well and just sweated on that split.”

“He was good tonight. The thing is with him, you never know which Exeter is going to turn up. I think a bit of lack of application sometimes when things don’t go his way. So, it was good that things did tonight and he put his best foot forward.”

“He’s shown that he loves the Valley, he’s last two wins have been here, hopefully there’s more races here for him.”

“I actually thought while I was past the winning post that he was really travelling strong and really focused. I thought maybe he was on today, but he has tricked me before.”