Exuberance has lived up to her name at Cranbourne

[Wandering Eyes]

Exuberance (NZ) (Savabeel) has given New Zealand trainer Mark Walker something to smile about after a Group 1 defeat in New Zealand.

Trainer Mark Walker was enduring a tough day at the office prior to the maiden victory of Exuberance at Cranbourne. 

Walker was at Cranbourne on Wednesday having overseen trackwork on Tuesday in the lead-up to the Turnbull Stakes Day meeting at Flemington on Saturday. 

In between races at Cranbourne, Walker was tuned in to watch Group 1 action from New Zealand where he witnessed Skew Wiff run second in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata. 

“I thought she was really brave,” Walker said of Skew Wiff. 

“She just didn’t have anything that took her into the race and just got left a sitting duck, and she’s only got that short sprint, so we got nabbed close to the line. 

“So, it’s been a frustrating day, because in the Guineas we missed it by about six lengths as well. 

“So, it’s one of those days, but this makes it a little bit better.” 

New Zealand-bred filly Exuberance was the first winner Walker has prepared for a new ownership group in his stable which includes Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill when taking out the Get Your Pinker Pinker Tickets Today Maiden Plate (1200m). 

Ridden by Craig Williams and sent out the $2.90 favourite, Exuberance defeated Zwasp ($5) with Under My Thumb ($3) in third place. 

Exuberence, a daughter of Savabeel, was having her second race start having finished third on debut over 1140m at Geelong last month. 

Walker expects Exuberance to stretch out in distance as she matures. 

“I think she was headed at about the 200 (metres) but she put her head down and had a real go, so that was good to see,” Walker said. 

“It wasn’t our intention to lead up today. We were hoping to get some cover, but once she got there, she did it pretty easily and backed off the tempo. 

“She’s got ability. She just needs to put it together mentally more than anything. 

“She’s a work in progress and whether she does it this time round or whether it’s more in the autumn, we’ll see, but we do think she’s a nice filly.” 

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