Close Prelude Second For Malice

Malice was just beaten in the Group Three Hyland Race Colours Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill Gardens, Australia on Saturday, March 28, finishing a head second to Excess Knowledge.

The four-year-old, trained by John O'Shea and returning from a break, broke well under Sam Clipperton and raced in third before settling in fifth towards the outside.

The son of Teofilo moved up to third again entering the straight and threw down a strong challenge in the final furlong but could not get quite get to grips with the winner, whose time was 1m 29.85s for the seven and a half furlongs on good ground.

The other Godolphin runner, San Diego (John O'Shea/James McDonald), finished seventh after racing keenly early.

John O'Shea said: "Malice was beaten by race fitness. In the straight, he got into a dog fight with a horse that was a bit fitter than him.

"He finished a very close second. It was a fantastic effort and a beautiful ride by Sam Clipperton.

"We are looking at the Hawkesbury or Wagga Cup for him after another run."