Co-trainer Adrian Bott has revealed that talented stayer Excess Knowledge will be set for a campaign through the forthcoming 2017 Autumn Carnival, which could culminate in an appearance in a race like the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
Excess Knowledge may be set for the 2017 Sydney Cup. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Excess Knowledge has produced a number of standout performances and results during his time under the care of Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse, and was last seen finishing sixteenth in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 1st after tiring late.
Bott told Racing Ahead that the Monsun entire was immediately sent to the paddock after his run in the race that stops a nation, and revealed that he will be set on an Autumn Carnival campaign upon resuming in 2017.
“He went straight out after the Melbourne Cup, so he’s having a well-deserved rest at the moment,” Bott said.
“No doubt we’ll try and have a real crack at the autumn with him and then maybe up to Brisbane.
“The last few years we’ve had a really light autumn campaign with him with the focus being on the Melbourne Cup campaign, but this time around I think we’ll really be able to have him up and firing.
“Hopefully have a really good autumn with him.”
Excess Knowledge began his career under the guidance of John Gosden in 2012, before he was purchased and transferred to the care of Waterhouse prior to the 2014 season.
A standout during the 2015 edition of the Autumn Carnival, Excess Knowledge ran second in each of the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) and Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m); charging home to take out the Group 1 Lexus Stakes (2500m) before running a pleasing seventh in his first Melbourne Cup tilt.
Resuming this year for second in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), Excess Knowledge was returned to the paddock after placing tenth in a hit-and-run appearance in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1600m) on May 7th, with a view towards his Spring Carnival campaign.
Requiring a couple of runs to find form upon returning to competition in spring, Excess Knowledge maintained to the line well for third in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) and finishing fourth in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), in what was his only other start prior to the Melbourne Cup.
Excess Knowledge is currently considered a $51 chance in early 2017 Sydney Cup betting markets.
