No Excuse Needed’s Pedigree Primed for Smart Update

10 August 2011

Waikato’s G1 sire No Excuse Needed’s pedigree could well be in store for some sweet updates this season, should his US 3YO half-brother Higher Court (Sharmardal) continue to play his part.

The smart Darley bred and raced colt created a big impression on debut at Keenland in April, winning by some 6 six lengths.

At start two, he defeated all bar the record breaker Gantry at Belmont and on Saturday, he added another tick to his three start resume with a smart front running effort that left the nearest of his Saratoga rivals 2 ¾ lengths in his wake.

Higher Court’s 1100m turf outing time of 1:01.21 provided plenty of encouragement for trainer Thomas Albertrani.

“He turned up again with another super performance,” Albertrani told www.horseracing.com.

“I think he got a 96 Beyer (Speed Figure). I haven’t made any decisions, and I’d be curious to try him on the dirt.”

Albertrani said he would be patient with Higher Court ’s development, probably looking for an overnight turf sprint stakes later.

“He looks like he’s a very talented horse,” Albertrani said.

Prior to taking up stud duties, No Excuse Needed was a top class racehorse who followed 2YO G3 success with wins at 3 & 4 in the now G1 Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes & G2 Goodwood Celebration Mile and was twice G1 placed.

Pure Alpha delivers again as Ardrossan continues to rise

Ardrossan gelding Pure Alpha led throughout to win by 1.29 lengths at Eagle Farm for owner Ozzie Kheir, taking his earnings past $300,000. The result caps a stellar run for sire Ardrossan, whose yearlings fetched up to $450,000 this year on strong Hong Kong form.

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The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.