Singapore two-year-old Exceed Express (Exceed and Excel x Darcybee), a Pencarrow Stud yearling graduate, showed an abundance of speed to win on debut in a S$75,000 restricted maiden over 1000m for two- and three-year-olds.

Expat kiwi trainer Laurie Laxon prepares Exceed Express for owner the Master Achiever Stable. He was a trial winner leading into the race and the punters did not miss him, installing him as a hot race-favourite.

The son of Exceed and Excel exploded out of barrier 10 to cross to the rails and lead heading into the corner. The corner proved a challenge however as he hung outwards.

Rider Manoel Nunes got Exceed Express balanced in the straight and the pair sprinted towards the finish line. Three-year-old Lady Roulette (Ruwi) challenged but Exceed Express had too much pace, winning by a neck in a time of 59.86 seconds.

“He did a lot wrong but managed to overcome it,” commented Laxon. “He will be better once we straighten him up a bit.

“Everybody knew about him, he was a pretty short-priced favourite as his trials and trackwork had been pretty good leading up to the race.

“He is a nice horse to work with and he is pretty good. Danny Beasley had done all the work on him but he couldn’t make the weight.

“There are some good two-year-old races coming up which he will be in.”

Bred by Sir Peter and Philip Vela, Exceed Express is out of Listed winning sprinter Darcybee (Fasliyev), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Lord Pyrus (Pyrus) and Listed winner Tehama (Centaine). Exceed Express is also related to Group 2 winning sprinter Durham Town (Falkirk).

His sire Exceed and Excel was the leading sire in Australia last season and is renowned for producing top-class two-year-olds such as this year’s Group 1 Blue Diamond winner Earthquake.

Darcybee was covered by in-form Australian sire Sebring last year.

Exceed Express was purchased by Nestor Chan & Voon Lai for $210,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Pencarrow Stud.