Exceptionally - St Leger

THE Age
St Leger bolter aims for the Cup
ANDREW EDDY
April 26, 2010

TERRY O'Sullivan knows his filly Exceptionally has plenty more yet to achieve if the dream of a Melbourne Cup run is to be realised, but the trainer was looking towards November's $6 million race after she rallied to win yesterday's St Leger at Flemington.

''I'd love to think she might get into a Melbourne Cup,'' O'Sullivan, who is also a part-owner of the horse, said after yesterday's win over the 2800 metres. ''I know it's pretty tough just to get into the race, but she'll run two miles [3200 metres] no doubt.''

When a horse pays more than $50 for a win, it can be assumed that even the connections were only moderately confident of victory. But O'Sullivan, the filly's jockey Dan Nikolic and her part-owner Kingsley Peach were all convinced she could pass the first qualifying clause for the Melbourne Cup by taking out the $200,000 listed race.

''Halfway down the straight, I thought she would finish third at best but then she sprouted wings over the last 150 metres,'' Nikolic said. ''It was a really good staying effort.''

O'Sullivan was of the same mind as Gallant Lady and Sherpa Tenzing appeared certain to fight out the finish. ''It was a great ride by Dan. He rode it 110 per cent and he was patient and just waited. I thought he might have waited too long but over that last 50 metres she dived through to score.''

The result came as a great thrill but no shock for part-owner Peach, who picked the filly out at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale as he was a fan of the little-known stallion Ekraar and the filly was out of a Zabeel mare. He paid $62,500 for her.

Exceptionally, a $21 chance in the ring with the bookmakers, won by three-quarters of a length over Gallant Lady ($3.90 favourite) with Sherpa Tenzing ($4.60) a short neck away third.