Gerald Ryan excited about Villiers

Trainer Gerald Ryan will give Red Excitement his chance in the Group Two Villiers Stakes.

He may not be the most high profile horse in Gerald Ryan’s stable but Red Excitement has given the trainer some of his most satisfying moments.

The eight-year-old’s third in Saturday’s Group Three Festival Stakes was another significant milestone with his prize money taking him over the $1 million mark at his 50th start.

It has also earned him a place in the Group Two Villiers Stakes on December 16 having lost his way for a few starts after putting Winx to the sword in the Chelmsford Stakes..

Red Excitement led by many lengths in the Group Two race in September and the champion was the only one to run him down but Ryan has had to get him to settle again after that experience.

“He ran third in the Festival Stakes last year and then went on to win the Summer Cup and the Gosford Cup,” Ryan said.

“This time he will go to the Villiers.

“He’s passed a million dollars now which is great for the horse and his owners.”

Glenn and Viive Williams paid $32,500 for Red Excitement at the 2011 Inglis Classic Sale but it seemed his career might be over three years ago when he injured a tendon.

While he did not bow the tendon he damaged the fibres and spent most of 2014 away from the track.

He made a winning return at Rosehill in December 2014 and the following month won the Listed Manifold Stakes at Flemington.

All up Red Excitement has won 13 of his 50 starts and Ryan sees no reason he can’t continue.

The trainer is also looking forward to the return of three-year-old Menari to the stable after the colt underwent a wind operation following his third in the Golden Rose won by stablemate Trapeze Artist.

“He will be back in a week or so,” Ryan said.

“The plan at the moment is to keep him to sprints. He could be aimed at the Galaxy, and then the Arrowfield and the TJ Smith but we have to see how he comes back first.”