The Danielle Seib-trained Xcessive Force reaffirmed her status as a major player ahead of the 2026 Country Championships, winning at Goulburn on Tuesday.
Contesting the Class 4 Country Championships Preview (1300m), the 4YO Brutal mare started the red-hot $1.26 favourite and left a field dominated by metropolitan and provincial stables in her wake, bounding to a two-length victory.
It was a classy ride by Pierre Boudvillain, with the Frenchman positioning Xcessive Force one-out and one-back before presenting the Canberra galloper three wide at the top of the straight and then putting two lengths on their rivals.
“We are absolutely thrilled with her,” Seib told Country Punter.
“She has taken that little bit of improvement yet again physically, and the biggest difference is her approach to work and racing.
“She was a filly that could be a little bit warm at times, and busy at the races, and sometimes wanted to get the job done.
“So, it was good to see her think about what she was being asked to do, and she had to be a racehorse yesterday.”
Now a three-time winner, with a Highway Handicap runner-up finish to her credit, Xcessive Force was first-up from a 22-week break at Goulburn.
Following the win, Seib confirmed that the mare was being set for the South East Racing Association qualifier at the Sapphire Coast on March 1.
“That’s the goal; it’s always been the big picture,” Seib said.
“She is a big, strong mare, and she was always going to take a bit of time.
“We’ve been very patient, and so has the ownership group, and she’s developed step by step.
“She has a great amount of speed, and in time, I’ve got no doubt she will run a mile as well.
“She has a bit of scope and all the elements of a nice horse; she has a bit of class.”
Regarding her path to the Country Championships qualifier, which is over a month away, Seib explained they had multiple options on the table.
“Provided we continue to be happy with her, she’ll likely have another run before the qualifier,” Seib said.
“There is a nice race at home next Friday in a Federal (over 1300m), or we might consider a race in town.
“She was first-up over 1300m, and there was no public exposure, but she did have two nice jumpouts at home, and her post-race recovery was terrific.
“She is a clean-winded mare; she is also a good eater, and quite straightforward, so we’ll let her dictate where she goes next.
“The thing is, she is fit, and we’re not overly worried about another run for that reason, but more for her race craft.
“In the qualifier, she will be up against 15 nice horses, and it’s a big field and big pressure, and we’d like to see her continue to develop her race craft.”
The 2026 Country Championships kicks off on Sunday, February 15, with Coffs Harbour hosting the Northern Rivers Racing Association qualifier.
The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Clear Thinking is the series favourite at $3.50 and will be set for the Hunter and Inner West qualifier at Muswellbrook on Sunday, March 8.
Xcessive Force has been kept safe in the futures markets on the fifth line of betting at $11.
