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In a desperate three-way finish to the blue riband Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), it was race favourite Rocket Spade who came out on top at the conclusion of a thrilling contest.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had gone into the race off a strong performance to win the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in his final lead-up to Sunday’s feature event at Ellerslie.
That run had hinted the son of Fastnet Rock would thrive on the 2400m of the Derby and so it proved as rider Craig Grylls provided a masterclass in getting Rocket Spade home after the pair were in last position with just 600m to run.
Rocket Spade, inner, masters Milford and Frontman (obscured, middle) to win the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
In a desperate three-way finish to the blue riband Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), race favourite Rocket Spade came out on top at the conclusion of a thrilling contest. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had gone into the race off a strong performance to win the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in his final lead-up to Sunday’s feature event at Ellerslie. That run had hinted the son of Fastnet Rock would thrive on the 2400m of the Derby and so it proved as rider Craig Grylls provided a masterclass in getting Rocket Spade home after the pair were in last position with just 600m to run.
Robusto (inner) holds out Sound in the Avondale Cup at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Rugged stayer Robusto ($39) upset the applecart when she produced a well-timed finish to deny Aussie raider Sound a victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained six-year-old shrugged off a disappointing run in the Wellington Cup (3200m) at her last start to thrust her name into Auckland Cup (3200m) contention as she overcame traffic problems in the home straight to claim her biggest career victory. Given a perfect run in the trail by rider Sam Collett, the daughter of Zed tracked Sound into the race on the home corner before shooting through on his inner at the 200m.
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Owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have gone back-to-back, scoring their second consecutive victory in the Group 2 SkyCity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Friday.
The combination captured last year’s edition of the three-year-old feature with Dragon Leap, and have struck Guineas gold again 12 months later with Rocket Spade.
Making his first start since a close fifth behind Aegon in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in early November, Rocket Spade raced keenly but took up a comfortable position in seventh, one off the rail.
The colt travelled boldly just behind the leaders rounding the home turn, and he lengthened stride stylishly when jockey Craig Grylls pushed the button in the straight. Rocket Spade swept to the front and went clear, beating the strong-finishing Jason Belltree by three-quarters of a length.