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Excavation produced a devastating early split to leave his rivals – and kennelmates – behind him in a stunning group 1 Sportsbet Topgun victory.

The result is sure to shake up the market for the Phoenix, with slot holders now likely to fight for the Jason Thompson-trained sprinter. Thompson has already confirmed Explicit will represent Awesome Lodge in the world’s richest race on December 21, over the same track and distance as Saturday night’s Topgun. But Thompson will be reluctant to give away Excavation this far out, given there’s still six weeks to go for Explicit to arrive at the Phoenix in one piece.

The margin was 7.5 lengths, as Excavation took advantage of box two in a first split time of 5.08. Kennelmates Flying Zulu and Explicit followed him in, but he left them for dead, as Blue Kermaro was the closer late to grab second from NSW raider Zipping Megatron.

Explicit, who jumped an odds on favourite, finished fourth.

However, Luke Thompson said the kennel was keen to stick with Explicit heading to the Phoenix.

“We’ve got no regrets in the choice we made,” Thompson said.

 

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“With Explicit … the flexibility with the box draws, you want to have a dog that has the early speed to lead the race but can also do it from any box, and we think he’s the dog to do that.”

 

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Asked what makes his dad one of the best trainers going around, Luke told Racing.com he’s “as hard a worker as you’re going to get.”

“He just had an interest at it at a young age … the hard work and patience has paid off,” he said.

“They’re certainly one of the top kennels, if not the top kennel, and have been for a long time. The success they’ve been getting over the years is deserving because of the hard work.”

ARTICLE BY DAMIEN RACTLIFFE, GRV