Exceed and Excel Gelding on Derby Track in Singapore

Cordoba (GB), g, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Native Nickel (Ire), by Be My Native. Kranji, 2-28, Hcp. ($59k), 1400mT, 1:22.47. B-Brook Stud Bloodstock Ltd (GB). *Cordoba was mooted as a candidate for Singapore’s 4-Year-Old series when he arrived in the nation last year and he did nothing wrong in two starts, graduating in his first local appearance Sept. 22 before dead-heating for the win in a Class 4 over this course and distance Oct. 20. Given plenty of time to acclimate, he returned in this Class 3 test with fairly modest expectations from former English trainer David Hill. Keen while settled in mid-division by Alan Munro, the 9-5 favorite came out for the drive, rallied to the front four away from the fence with 200 meters to race and stayed on to score by 3/4 of a length while never really looking a loser. “When he got to the front, that was when he looked like he needed the run,” Hill explained. “I thought he would win easy, but he could not pull away. But he is such a class act. He just won on his class tonight and will no doubt come on a lot off this. I would say he was only 80% fit tonight. A lot of people say he’ll stay, I think he’ll stay and the Derby is definitely his target.” Cordoba hails from the extended female family of former Hill trainee River Verdon (Ire) (Be My Native), Horse of the Year and three-time champion stayer in Hong Kong who remains the only horse to date to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown for older horses. The 2000-meter Singapore Derby, worth S$1.15 million (US$907,370), takes place July 13. VIDEO.