Trainer Richard Laming put a circle around the Subzero Handicap (1400m) four months ago for his grey Excelman (NZ) (Reliable Man) and he was delighted that his plan came to fruition at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
The New Zealand-bred gelding was given a soft passage by jockey Blaike McDougall after drawing the ace barrier and he was able to follow the speed behind pacemaker Naval Envoy throughout, pipping the Danielle Loos-trained runner in the final strides to win by half a length.
Laming was duly delighted to score a victory in the unique race.
“From last preparation we turned him out for this,” the Cranbourne trainer said.
“He is a horse that goes very good fresh. I said to the owners this morning that this is the best I have ever had him going and he produced it out there today.
“It was a target race today and it was good to pull it off.”
McDougal was just as pleased after doing plenty of work with the son of Reliable Man in the lead-up to the race.
“For the last month I have been heading out to Cranbourne and jumping this fella out and he has been going terrific,” McDougal said.
“We were very lucky, we drew one, so we were drawn to receive every chance in the running.
“He was a credit to Richard and his team today.”
Excelman was bred by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, who stands his sire, Reliable Man, at his South Auckland farm.
Out of the Exceed and Excel mare Glory Run, Excelman is a half-brother to the Group One performed Night’s Watch.
