The Exceed And Excel gelding proved too strong for Authentic Jewel ($10) by a long neck with King Of Sparta ($4) making up many lengths at the finish to be a further half length back in third.
The three-year-old has turned the corner in recent times putting three wins together on the bounce and now adding some black type to his name.
Stable representative and former champion jockey Darren Beadman explained that it was the ultimate gear change that has brought about the recent run of form.
“The gelding of the horse was the making of the horse,” Beadman said.
“He always showed a lot of potential but he was always just full of himself.
“He’s turned it around and become a really lovely race horse.
“We’re about breeding colts and stallions and broodmares for their stake performances, but he’s going to be a good bread and butter horse for us.”
Beadman was complimentary of the steer by jockey Chad Schofield, who has posted his first victory since arriving back from a seven year riding stint in Hong Kong.
“It was a lovely copybook ride by Chad, good to see him get the monkey off his back,” Beadman said.
“I said to Chad before the race ‘just have confidence in the horse and don’t worry about the leader getting away from you because you’ll hit the line.’”
Schofield was equally impressed by the winner’s effort, and was relieved to finally break the duck since starting Sydney riding up again last week.
“I’ve had a few placings since I’ve been back so it’s really nice to have my first winner in a stakes race,” Schofield said.
“I was really happy with my position and where the horse was travelling but then all of a sudden Hugh Bowman’s horse (Broken Hill) dropped the bridle and the leader skipped so I had to pop out and get on my bike.
“I was always confident of catching the other horse, but it did kick well.”
The eye-catcher of the race was the third placegetter King Of Sparta who made up a stack of ground in the final stages and looks well-placed for a good performance in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas next month. He now sits at $6 equal favourite with the TAB for the event.