Big Day For Nz Horses In Adelaide - Including The Grp 1 Malaysia Airlines Sa Derby

It was a huge day for the New Zealand industry at Morphettville yesterday, with five of the eight races on this feature race day being won by New Zealand bred horses, including the big one, the SAJC Malaysia Airlines South Australia Derby – Group 1.

PANTANI (by Pentire x Dewamar by Marscay) showed real staying courage and a turn of foot over the final stages to head off his more fancied rivals in the 2500m Group 1 Malaysia Airlines SA Derby.

Pantani's Derby win provided young Victorian trainer, Robbie Laing, with one of the biggest thrills of his career. The 3YO gelding also provided his sire, Pentire (GB), with his first Group 1 winner. Pentire stands at Rich Hill Stud, near Matamata, NZ.

Pantani was bred by the Pike family of Cambridge, NZ and was sold through their Longlands Stud draft at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2000 Premier Yearling Sale. Laing purchased him for what now seems a very reasonable price tag of NZ$52,500.

Silver Baron (by Defensive Play x Azarashi) who ran a close second behind Pantani is also a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's 2000 National Yearling Sales, this time being purchased from the Select Colts Session of the sale for $27,500. Silver Baron was bred and sold by Tim Bodle's Whakanui Stud, and was purchased by Melbourne owner, Ron Cook.

Other notable victories for New Zealand-bred horses yesterday included:

Race 1 – Morphett Arms Hcap, 1600m MUSTAAGEL (NZ) (by Pentire x Frenetic), Purchased at the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale for $450,000 from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.

Race 4 – The SAJC Marsh Classic – Group 2. 1600m. SYLVANER (NZ) (by Danasinga x Isla Bijou). Purchased at the 1999 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale for $80,000 from the draft of Waikato Stud.

Race 5 – The SAJC Yallambee Classic – Group 2. 1200m. TROUBLES (NZ) (by Carolingian x Last Round Up). Purchased at the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Select Yearling Sale for $38,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

Race 7 – SAJC Carlton Draught Stakes – Group 3. 2500m. FIRETAINE (NZ) (by Centaine x Riverlette). Bred and sold by Waikato Stud.
2nd place went to HOMEWRECKER (NZ) (by Housebuster x Major Affair). Purchased at the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale for $65,000 from the draft of Ra Ora – Haunui Partnership.

New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Sale also provided last week's Group 1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks winner, TULLY THUNDER (by Thunder Gulch x Fleur de Chine), who was purchased from the draft of Windsor Park Stud for $350,000.

Capping off a great day for NZ was the victory across in Queensland for PRIZED GEM (NZ) in the Group 2 Conrad Jupiters Prime Minister's Cup (2400m).

The 4yo daughter of Fayette Park resident sire, Prized, from Vaguely Attentive (by Noble Bijou) is trained in New Zealand by Murray Baker.

Yesterday's Derby win notched up the 17th Group 1 win for New Zealand thoroughbreds in Australia so far this season.