Standish a Target for Excess

Excess Funds is set to be aimed at summer riches after breaking through for a tough victory over 1200m at Ballarat on Saturday.

The Levi Kavanagh-trained gelding pushed forward in the run to share the lead and gave a strong kick in the straight before fighting bravely to hold off fast-finishing placegetters Hi Stranger and Enigman.

It was an impressive return to form for the four-year-old after what appeared to be a plain effort for 10th place down the Flemington straight last start, but Levi revealed there were excuses for that performance and he was confident of a strong result on Saturday.

“I was quietly confident with him,” Levi said after the win.

“We didn’t really see the best of him down the straight on Melbourne Cup Day; he pulled up having lost a shoe and was a little bit sore, so we used that as a bit of a forget run.

“On his second-up run (prior) – that sort of form brought to today should have had us right where we were.”

Excess Fund’s settled at the front of the field and Levi said winning rider Damian Lane summed up the race perfectly.

“It was a great ride from Damian, it was probably against his pattern – he normally settles off the pace and chases home.

“He said today he might be forward and it’s a credit to him, he judged the pace well, held the field up and then really kicked in the final stages too.”

The son of Rubick will now be targeted at the Group 3 Standish Handicap down the straight on New Year’s Day and Levi said there could be a number of races to consider as a stepping stone towards the feature sprint.

“I think he’s still improving, we haven’t seen the best of him yet,” he said.

“We’re hoping to go to the Standish on New Year’s Day.

“He’ll have another run between now and then – whether we go interstate for that will depend on how he pulls up from here and we’ll see what the races are like.

“He’s an exciting horse.”

The victory was Excess Funds’ fourth from 14 starts.

Article (part-of) courtesy of RSN