Explosive Jack continues Derby blitz and makes history at Morphettville
Maher and Eustace colt adds South Australian Derby to his Tasmanian and ATC victories
Explosive Jack (Jakkalberry) was exactly that in yesterday’s South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) at Morphettville.
From as far back as the home turn, the colt never looked in doubt of becoming the first horse in Australian racing history to win three derbies in the space of just three months.
The big bay son of Jakkalberry’s (Storming Home) derby assault began on February 5 when he won the Tasmanian Derby (Listed, 2200m), it then continued in Sydney where he landed the ATC Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and now he has added the South Australian Derby to his impressive resume.
Until yesterday, no horse had ever won the ATC Derby / South Australian Derby double. Of the history making performance his co-trainer Ciaron Maher, who was on course to witness it, said; “I couldn’t be happier, it’s a great result. He’s a tough horse and I know that terms gets used loosely but he’s got a great temperament and the team has done a great job with him.
“He’s been to all of our locations and you never know he could end up in Queensland,” said a delighted Maher.
He did not rule out the possibility of travelling him north for the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) on May 29.
“He could, he certainly didn’t look like he was slowing down today.”
Maher said he was impressed with the effort of Let’s Karaka Deel (Dundeel), who is owned by the same connections as Explosive Jack, to chase him home in the race and finish second.
“I didn’t think there was a lot between them but I thought Jack was a bit stronger. The other horse will be nice when he furnishes.”
Not only was it a continuation of derby success for Explosive Jack, it was too for his regular rider John Allen who has now won a remarkable four editions of the South Australian Derby.
Allen’s winning run in the race began in 2016 on Howard Be Thy Name (Redoute’s Choice), which brought up the first Group 1 success of his flat riding career. He then won it the following year aboard Volatile Mix (Pentire) and was successful last year on Russian Camelot (Camelot).
“I’ve had great luck in the race and been lucky enough to get on the right horses.
“I love riding the track, it gives every horse a fair crack in the race,” said Allen.
Of the performance of Explosive Jack he said;
“We were three wide with cover and they went slow and I was able to flow into it. He was always comfortable and travelling well and when we turned the corner I wasn’t worried about him running the trip and I thought you are not going to catch me now.
“I knew it was going to take a good horse to go past him.”
Like Maher, he mentioned the Queensland Derby as being a possibility.
“It’s amazing to go to Tassie, peak in Sydney and then come here four weeks later and now it’s on to Brisbane maybe,” he said.
Explosive Jack has now won five of his eight starts and amassed more than $1.7 million in prize–money. He was purchased by Moody Racing out of the Novara Park draft at the 2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Zaaki stamps himself as a Group 1 performer of the future
The Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux) scored an absolutely stunning win in yesterday’s Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) at the Gold Coast and asserted himself as a top–liner of the future.
With seven Group 1 winners in the field this year, including champion New Zealand mare Melody Belle (Commands), it had been compared to a race the calibre of the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) in the lead-up.
Under James McDonald he demoralised his high–class opposition after being backed heavily late in the betting.
Neasham said she knew before the race that Zaaki was ready to perform well.
“He’s just been feeling so well. This morning he nearly bucked me off in the trotting ring and I think that’s when he’s best, when he’s fresh,” said Neasham.
On the line, Zaaki had a two-and-a-quarter-length margin over Fifty Stars (Sea The Stars), who edged out Shared Ambition (Born To Sea).
Neasham believes there are better things in store for the English import, who was having just his third Australian start yesterday.
Her next target with him is the Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) on May 22.
“Probably the most exciting thing about him, Sir Michael Stoute, who trained him back in England and their team were adamant he is much better on firm ground (it was a Heavy 8), so hopeful in the Doomben Cup, if we can get some better ground, we might see an even better performance.”
The six-year-old gelding was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock and Annabel Neasham Racing out of the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale for 150,000 Guineas.
He won three stakes races when trained in the UK, including the Paradise Stakes (A Queen Anne Stakes Trial) at Ascot (Listed, 1m), the Diomed Stakes (Gr 3, 1m½f) at Epsom and the Strensall Stakes (Gr 3, 1m1f) at York.
Soon after that string of performances in 2019 he travelled to Hong Kong for the international races where he finished eighth of ten runners in the Hong Kong International Mile (Gr 1, 1600m), beaten only four and half lengths by Admire Mars (Daiwa Major) who is a new addition to the Arrowfield Stud roster.
After yesterday’s super impressive win, Zaaki was installed as favourite for the Doomben Cup on May 22.
Champion New Zealand mare Melody Belle, the headline entry for the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, finished down the track in yesterday’s Hollindale Stakes. Prior to the race, stewards advised she was racing with synthetic hoof filler.
The 14-time Group 1–winning mare looked dour in the straight and got squeezed right out of contention at a vital stage in the concluding stages.
Her trainer Jamie Richards had warned in the week leading up that she was “vulnerable” in yesterday’s contest. Her main aim before imminent retirement is the Doomben Cup.