The step up to 2000m of the Group 3 $150,000 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday will suit Excess Knowledge according to Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Adrian Bott.
Excess Knowledge will appreciate the step up to 2000m in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Excess Knowledge will be having his second Spring Carnival outing on Saturday following his first up ninth to Awesome Rock in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 3 and the stable is expecting plenty of improvement.
A win by Excess Knowledge in the Naturalism Stakes, known these days as the MRC Foundation Cup, will see the seven year old gain automatic entry into the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15.
“He will take his place on Saturday and will be much more suited by the 2000m,” Bott told racing.com.
“Looking for an improved performance, but in saying that we were really pleased with his first up run.”
Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, has Excess Knowledge also nominated for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1 and a win in the Naturalism Stakes could give him a weight penalty that would push him up the order of entry for ‘The Race That Stops A Nation’.
“It will be interesting got see where we fall in the order of entry and if he will need any more penalty,” Bott said.
“He has come back in great order, we have a nice preparation mapped out for him and rally excited about him going through this preparation so hopefully he can improve on last year’s performance.”
Excess Knowledge finished seventh, beaten just over three lengths, behind Prince Of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup and has been allocated 52.5kg for this year’s race.
Excess Knowledge has drawn barrier four in the capacity sixteen horse Naturalism Stakes field and Mark Zahra takes over from Ryan Maloney who will ride Swacadelic.
In a fairly open race, Excess Knowledge is on the fourth line of betting at $11 at Ladbrokes.com.au with the Lee and Anthony Freedman trained Tom Melbourne at the top of the market order at $4.40.
Also in the betting is Ciaron Maher’s Jameka at $5.50 and the Darren Weir trained Real Love at $9.
Market order for the Naturalism Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Tom Melbourne, $5.50 Jameka, $9 Real Love, $11 Excess Knowledge, Great Esteem, Second Bullet, $12 Set Square, $14 Magnapal, $15 Gabella, $18 Observational, $21 Almoonqith, $26 Master Zephyr, The Bandit, $31 Gallante, Swacadelic, $34 Berisha, $41 Taiyoo, $51 Zanteca, $71 Tall Ship, $126 Manndawi.
