Friday, 3rd May 2024
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773
This racing season, 3YOs bred and sold in New Zealand have been an unstoppable force in Australia, winning the Victoria Derby (2500m), Tasmanian Derby (2200m), West Australian Derby (2400m), Australian Derby (2400m), Randwick Guineas (1600m), Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and South Australian Derby (2400m). Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) has delivered three of those on his own, completing a historic three-state Derby treble with a dominant performance in Adelaide on Saturday. Bought for $100,000 from Novara Park's draft at Karaka 2019, Explosive Jack has now had eight starts for five wins, two placings and A$1.73 million in stakes – more than 17 times his purchase price. On Saturday he became the first horse in 49 years to win a Derby in three different Australian states, adding the South Australian Derby at Morphettville to his previous victories in Tasmania and New South Wales. Explosive Jack is one of four Group 1-winning 3YOs in Australia this season that were purchased at Karaka. Victoria Derby winner Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock) was bought for $50,000, Randwick Guineas winner and Australian Derby placegetter Lion's Roar cost $65,000, and Rosehill Guineas hero Mo'unga (NZ) (Savabeel) had a $325,000 price tag. Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who won the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) before crossing the Tasman and winning the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) in Sydney, has been another big success story – bought for $150,000 at Karaka.
