Exuberant (NZ) Makes Perfect Debut in Wellesley

Exuberant (NZ) (Savabeel) became the first stakes winner for the new-look Karaka Book 1 Sale when he made a winning debut in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Hanley Formula Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at Trentham.

Bought for $160,000 during the inaugural Book 1 session in January of this year, the trial-winning colt was thrown in at the deep end for his debut against a 10-horse field that included four individual winners.

Ridden by Jason Waddell for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, Exuberant quickened smartly in the straight and out-fought the debut winner Last Sight (NZ) (Showcasing) through the last 100 metres to win by a half-head.

“That was a huge performance on debut from a very nice colt,” said Marsh, who indicated that the Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie in late January would be a likely target.

Exuberant’s debut win earned $28,125 in prize-money for his owners, the Go Racing On A High Syndicate.

The Order of Entry for the $1M Karaka Million 2YO is starting to take shape, with Exuberant to be added to the list. View the order here.