It only took three days of the new racing season for Vinery’s Excites to produce his first 3yo winner.
Excites won the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m at his third start and his first crop daughter Hawilka did likewise with a convincing victory over the same distance at Coffs Harbour on Wednesday.
Hawilka (3f Excites – Sweet Thunder by Thunder Gulch) is trained by Trevor Hardy and had been given two pipe-openers over shorter trips last season. She kicked clear for a comfortable three-quarter length victory at 30/1.
Hawilka was bred by Basil Nolan’s Raheen Stud and is the latest winner to come off the Gladfield Valley nursery after being catalogued for the 2010 yearling sales. Among them are last Saturday’s Doomben winner Punch On and the brilliant youngsters Rocket To Glory and Noisy Ocean.
Raheen also sold Hawilka’s youngster sister at this year’s Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearling sale. She was purchased by Michael Wallace Bloodstock for $38,000.
Their dam Sweet Thunder won at Moonee Valley and also earned black-type in the TRC Strutt Stakes.
Hawilka’s victory should come as little surprise to followers of Excites as his 3YOs give every impression of developing into quality performers as they step up to a mile.
“Excites was a Group 1 winning juvenile over 1400m and a highly talented three-year-old having been narrowly beaten in the G1 Caulfield Guineas,” Vinery’s Adam White said.
“So if you look at his race record and take into consideration that the progeny of his sire Danewin generally hit their best form as three-year-olds and older, then Excites looks a promising prospect indeed.
“Danewin has also sired two Derby winners and an Oaks winner so the progeny of Excites should get 1600m or 2000m and continue the promising start he has had to his stud career with sprinting 2YOs.”
Excite’s has been well received at the yearling sales with his first crop selling to $100k and his second crop to $150k whilst his leading earner Amber’s Crown has already amassed over $220k in her 2YO preparation.
Excites is an elder half brother to young stallions Duporth and Tickets is expected to cover another strong book at Vinery this season as the winners keep flowing.