This season’s leading Moonee Valley hoop Craig Newitt was seen at his desperate best when Exceed and Excite led throughout to win the Mazda 72 955m sprint at Moonee Valley tonight.

Newitt come into the meeting on eight wins, one ahead of both Dwayne Dunn and Luke Nolen.

Those two rode earlier winners Dunn (Anjea) and Nolen (Blue Ribbon) and it was time for Newitt to step up to the plate.

Newitt pushed the four-year-old mare hard early to lead but Biondi (Luke Currie) applied pressure outside the leader from the outset.

The two had a clear advantage entering the straight before Hillfire, who settled third on the fence, made a late challenge.

Newitt used his well known power to push the Leon Corstens-trained mare to her fourth win in succession, her first in town.

The daughter of Exceed and Excel and Ladidi (by Palace Music) is owned by a syndicate led by former champion jockey Roy Higgins and Wylee Dalziel.

“There was a while there we thought she was limited and wouldn’t go on but we changed a few things,” Dalziel said.

“Froggy (Newitt) rode her at Geelong when she won and said she is a good little filly and going places.

“The horse has been placed beautifully and here we are winning a $55,000 race, she is a gutsy little filly.

“There are many in the syndicate, some people have one or 10 or 30 per cent, it doesn’t really matter, this is what it is all about.”

Newitt praised the mare for her toughness.

“I rode her at Geelong and she had been out of form and had a few barrier mishaps, but that day she clicked into form and has gone on.

“She got attacked left right and centre but full credit to her.

“She is only a little thing, she probably takes two steps to everyone’s one.”
Exceed and Excite made it five wins from 13 starts with all wins at 1000m or less.

Unlucky runners in the race were Louisville Dancer and Arrived.

They didn’t get much room in the straight.