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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.
3:37PM23 February 2021
The tragic death of Mikaela Claridge must be the catalyst for change as the old system and old ways of doing things are broken and must be fixed.
MIKAELA’S TRAGIC DEATH MUST FORCE CHANGE
The death of Mikaela Claridge in August 2019 was tragic, a beautiful young woman with a beaming smile and a joy for life and only married for four months was suddenly gone.
I have two young daughters and shed a tear for Mikaela and her family and friends every time I see or read a story about her.
Those close to Mikaela live the horror every day.
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.
Racing: New Zealand horses Aegon and Probabeel produce golden hour in Australia
20 Feb, 2021 09:30 AM
3 minutes to read
Aegon claimed victory in Australia. Photo / Getty
NZ Herald
By: Michael Guerin
Aegon gave young training star Andrew Forsman one of the most emotional wins of his career with a freakish Australian debut on Saturday to cap a golden hour for New Zealand racing.
The Cambridge galloper overcame a tardy start to thrash most of Sydney s elite three-year-olds in the A$400,000 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill just an hour after Matamata mare Probabeel was dazzling in the A$500,000 Futurity at Caulfield.
Probabeel was stunning after sitting three wide the entire race and striding clear at the top of the straight to hold out Arcadia Queen, with the pair now dominating the market for the A$5 million All-Star Mile at The Valley in three weeks.