Gingernuts tastes success
Emotion overflowed before and after an incident-packed $1million New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie yesterday.
The $600,000 first prize went to the horse named Gingernuts ridden by Opie Bosson and won with an authority seldom seen in a Derby.
The son of Iffraaj went to the line flicking and cocking his ears as he dominated his exhausted rivals.
His domination was matched by the antics of his legion of orange-capped owners and associates in the Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate who greeted Bosson like the superstar he is when he entered the mounting yard before the race.
The grandstand shook as they cheered the winner over the line and continued in the Ellerslie birdcage and on the victory dais.
It was a treat to behold such joy and excitement from a host of first-time owners in the 35-strong syndicate.
It was an easy win by the son of Iffraaj trained at Matamata by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards producing the first Derby winner for New Zealand’s major yearling buyer David Ellis.
By coincidence Gingernuts was bought out of the Ready To Run Sale for $42,500.
Natalie Young ventured across the Tasman from the new base she shares with co-trainer Trent Busuttin with the runner-up Rising Red handled by expat jockey Mick Dee.
‘‘We came here full of hope thinking we could win the race,’’ Young said.
‘‘But when we saw his barrier draw of 17 we knew we were up against it.
‘‘The draw cost us, Mick did a good job to get him across but the winner is a very good horse and was too good for us.’’
Rising Red will spend some time in the paddock in New Zealand and ‘‘if all goes well he’ll be on a plane to Sydney’’.
His mission is the AJC Derby won by Tavago for Young and Busuttin last autumn. ‘‘Why not?’’ asked Young. ‘‘It could be wet like it often is and he grows another leg in the wet.’’
Brisbane in the winter is the target for Gingernuts who wasn’t among Derby nominations until his Avondale Guineas win a fortnight ago.
An emotional Ellis said he was thrilled for all the Te Akau team.
‘‘I’m so thrilled for Jamie and Stephen,’’ Ellis said.
‘‘And Opie rode him sensational – it’s just wonderful.’’
Richards said his Derby success was a huge buzz.
‘‘We didn’t know where we were before the Avondale Guineas – there’s a lot of excited owners here.’’
Punters of Cha Siu Bao and Lincoln Blue did their dough when the pair inexplicably came out of the barrier bucking and lost all chance.
Jon Snow was a gallant third and Beaumarchais, the winner’s stablemate, fourth
The 2015 Derby runner-up Volkstok’n’barrell had an exhibition gallop earlier in the day in readiness for the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) next Saturday.
With raceday rider Vinnie Colgan in the saddle, the Tavistock gelding warmed into his work stylishly and clocked 58.42 seconds for his last 1000m, 47.01 for the 800 and 34.85 for the last 600m.
Colgan and trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs were pleased with Volkstok’n’barrell’s hit-out.
‘‘He’s definitely on track for the New Zealand Stakes back here next week,’’ Gibbs said.
Team Te Akau won with the Derby second favourite in Gingernuts and he overshadowed Splurge who won the Group III Darley Plate (1200m).
But the $500,000 yearling purchase won his sixth race from 10 attempts and is a galloper on the rise for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.
The son of Savabeel lived up to his good looks in his toughest career test.