Sunday, 5th May 2024
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The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack (Jakkalberry-Extra Explosive, by Ekraar) showed his staying prowess when winning the $2 million Gr1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, defeating Young Werther (Tavistock) and Lion’s Roar (Contributer). The son of ill-fated former Gr1 Melbourne Cup-placed Jakkalberry prevailed in a thrilling finish, with the first three past the post all bred in New Zealand and sold at Karaka in a bumper result for the New Zealand breeding industry. Explosive Jack has been a model of consistency, winning four of his seven starts with a further two placings and has made multiple interstate trips since winning on debut at Swan Hill in November. According to NZ Racing Desk, winner of the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February, Explosive Jack provided his late Novara Park sire with his first stakes winner and now becomes his first Group 1 winner, too. “It’s phenomenal really. This horse has been in work a long time. He’s been to all our stables and the team have done an extraordinary job with him,” Maher said. “His last piece of work on Saturday was the best piece he’s done since he’s had a saddle on his back. A vocal group of owners were on track to cheer home Explosive Jack who is raced by a syndicate headed by Mick and Alise Johnston. The win provided jockey John Allen with his eleventh Group 1 win in a good ride to make his move early in what was a slowly run Derby. Explosive Jack was purchased by Peter Moody, who was taking a break from training at the time, for $100,000 out of the draft of Luigi Muollo’s Novara Park at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka. Globe-trotting Group 1 winner Jakkalberry stood at Novara Park for four seasons before his premature death from a gut infection. Australian Derby runner-up Young Werther is a son of Cambridge Stud’s late stallion Tavistock (Montjeu), while third placegetter Lion’s Roar, already a Group 1 winner, is a son of Mapperley Stud’s Contributer (High Chaparral).
