EXO LADY OUT TO DEFEND HER UNBEATEN RECORD

By Graham Potter | Friday, January 7, 2022

Jim Byrne is looking forward to his ride on the unbeaten Exo Lady in the Aquis Gold Pearl at the Gold Coast on Saturday in the 1100m sprint for Two-Year-Old Fillies.

"I did cringe a bit when I saw the barrier draw.” (The Desleigh Forster trained Exo Lady drew fourteen out of fourteen). “It’s certainly not ideal,” said Byrne. “but, as you saw the other day, she has got a lot more than just one string to her bow so, for mine, while the draw is definitely not ideal, it is not something I am going to panic about.

“In that last start I was always anticipating her jumping well and, if she hadn’t, I was always just going to ride her in behind. When she wasn’t quick out, I elected to ride her quiet that day … so the plan is really no different again this Saturday.

“The draw is terrible, but there is not much I can do about. I’ve just basically got to ride the horse according to how she jumps and how the race plays out.”

And Byrne’s view on the possible wet track conditions? Exo Lady has already won on soft going.

“I’m also not too concerned about the softness of the track for her (at the time of writing the Gold Coast track is rated a soft 7 with more rain predicted).

“I find it quite amazing that they are throwing her to the side sort of thing,” continued Byrne. “The horse couldn’t have done anymore than what she has done, and it seems like everyone is overlooking her.

"For mine, she is the best horse in the race, and we are just going to go out there and let her do her thing.

"If you watch her wins, she is basically doing it on raw ability. I was always confident that once she got going, she would develop into a really nice horse and, you just watch the way she attacked the line the other day compared to even her second last start, where she was still eying the winning post and just switching off a little bit too much.

“If she does wind back, she would always vulnerable for something to dash at her, but she didn’t do that the other day. She was really attacking the line strongly showing that she is making the progressive improvement you would expect from a good horse.

“She is a lovely horse. I’ve got a lot of time for her.

“I think she is going to make an amazing three-year-old. If you have a look at her in the yard, she looks so good.

“I’m very excited about seeing her back racing again.”

Trainer Desleigh Forster was equally unfazed by the task facing Exo Lady, adopting a pragmatic approach.

“She’s got an awkward draw and a wet track. It’s no good whinging about it or worrying about it … that’s not going to change anything.

“All I can say is I am very happy with her going into the race.

“Whatever happens will happen and she will go for a break after that.”.

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