Reading 14 EOC #33

Not sure I understand the logic for Q#33 - in order to have the highest excess return, should we be minimizing bonds with highest EffDur ? Since a change in yield will cause a larger reduction in it’s excess return; i.e. second part of the formula: EffDur*(change in yield)

The answer key says the opposite, i.e. go with EUR HY (highest EffDur)
Thanks,