Exchange shows class in fresh up win

By Jonny Turner 

The easiest of fresh up victories showed exactly how well Exchange is feeling at the start of his spring campaign.

Exchange (Ghibellines-Swapping-Encosta De Lago) cleared out to win the Winton Cup at Ascot Park on Sunday, powering to the line when he and rider Corey Campbell finally saw clear air in the home straight.

Bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, the six-year-old looks to be in for an outstanding spring for owners Ray and Alison Kean and Ian and Sue Nichol.

Brian and Shane Anderton gave Exchange a solid foundation of work leading up to the horse’s resumption.

And it looks like it will pay dividends in the weeks to come.

“He has had a good build up, he’d had 14 weeks of work and two jumpouts before we lined him up,” Brian Anderton said.

“He won well, it won’t be the hardest field he meets this time in but all he can do is win nicely and that is exactly what he did.”

“We were a wee bit worried about him getting around the tighter bends but he handled the track well and Corey rode him well.”

“We are looking at Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui for him next.”

“He should take a lot of benefit from this win and hopefully he is in for a good preparation.”

“He has done a great job so far and he is a horse we have always had a lot of time for.”

Exchange helped continue the incredible run of results his sire Ghibellines has produced recently.

The excitement is set to go up a level on Saturday with Smokin Romans (Ghibellines-Inferno-Yamanin Vital) moving into favouritism for the Caulfield Cup following his Group One win in the Turnbull Stakes.

Ghibellines notched a winning double at Ascot Park on Sunday with Scarlett's Promise (Ghibellines-Mikabella-Kingmaker) breaking maidens over 1400m for owner-breeder-trainer Bill McNamara.

Eavesdrop (Ghibellines-Rugby Street-Yamanin Vital) also continued the momentum for Ghibellines when scoring her third career win for Brian and Shane Anderton at Timaru on Friday.

The mare stepped up in grade but down in weight and relished the opportunity to step up to 2200m.

It is easy to see why as Eavesdrop is bred on the same Ghibellines-Yamanin Vital cross Smokin Romans is bred on.

An even bigger step up in trip is being considered for Eavesdrop next.

“She has been lugging a bit of weight around in the 65 grade so we elected to put her in a 75.”

“She has come up well and her last run over 2000m was very good.”

“She is a good honest mare that stays well.”

“We are considering taking her to the Jericho Cup qualifier at Riccarton next.”

“She went to the line good at the end of 2200m and I don’t think a bit further would bother her.”

“We will make a decision on that, but she could also go to Wingatui on Melbourne Cup Day.”

Eavesdrop was bred by Brian Anderton and Lorraine Anderton and the WRL principals race the mare with The Diamond Syndicate and the Woolshed Wednesday Syndicate.