Brambles (NZ) Heads NZ Trifecta in G1 Queensland Derby

Tough three-year-old Brambles (NZ) justified his pre-race favouritism with a brilliant front-running performance to head a New Zealand Bloodstock trifecta in the A$500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

With New Zealand and/or Karaka claiming the first seven horses across the line, Brambles (Savabeel x Prickle) also continued New Zealand's stellar Derby record which has seen New Zealand bred horses claim 17 Derby victories around the world since 2010.

The Queensland Carnival has seen the Peter Moody trained Brambles flourish into a top talent, winning the classic Derby lead-up contests - including the G3 BRC Grand Prix on 26 May and the G3 BRC Rough Habit Plate - before racing his way to his first Group 1 victory on Saturday.

Brambles' Derby triumph has secured the Group 1 Queensland Oaks/Group 1 Queensland Derby double for Karaka graduates, a feat that was also achieved by Scarlett Lady (Savabeel) and Shootoff (Duelled) last year.

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Brambles (NZ) lands the Group 1
Queensland Derby (2400m)

In a top ride from jockey Brad Rawiller on Saturday, Brambles was taken to the lead after jumping from barrier 11 and set a good pace for the 2400 metre classic. Rounding the 600 metre mark the son of Savabeel had the field under pressure and was dominant in the straight, maintaining his strong gallop to win by 1.5 lengths.

"It was a well-judged ride from Brad and a good tough effort from the horse," commented Moody after Brambles' Derby win.

"He has climbed the mountain each time this horse and he continued to show improvement right throughout his preparation. He has done a tremendous job."

The John Sargent trained Quintessential (NZ) (Fast 'N' Famous) put in a brilliant showing to run into second place. Winner of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) last weekend, she lost no admirers after a tough run in transit.

The Robert Smerdon trained Westsouthwest (NZ) (Darci Brahma) claimed third place and completed the trifecta for Karaka graduates with Tohunga (NZ) (Zabeel) fourth, Vatuvei (Reset) fifth, Zabeelionaire (NZ) (Zabeel) sixth and Red Shift (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) seventh.

A highly consistent galloper, Brambles has won five of his ten starts and placed in a further four, and now looks a top prospect for the rich staying races in the spring.

Bred by Celia Crawshaw, Brambles was purchased by Moody Racing from Waikato Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $100,000.

Raced by Peter Moody, Oti Uthmeyer Higgins, Maverick Racing, Mr D Minogue, Mr J Neeson, Mr C Sarantakos, Mrs B White, Dooner Armidale Racing, Mr R De Zoete-Spiero and The Flo, Brambles has now won over A$565,000 in stakes.

Peter Moody also purchased the full brother to Brambles at this year's Karaka Premier Sale from Anistay Lodge for $110,000.

Brambles is the third individual Group 1 winner for his Cox Plate winning sire Savabeel (Zabeel) who stands at Waikato Stud. Garry & Mark Chittick's Waikato Stud had plenty of cause to celebrate on Saturday with their sire Fast 'N' Famous also providing the second placegetter.

Savabeel sired his first Group 1 winner at the Carnival last year with Scarlett Lady winning the Queensland Oaks and Sangster added to his classic tally when winning the Group 1 VRC Derby in the spring.

The sire of 17 stakes winners, Savabeel has also seen the likes of Strike the Stars, Lady Kipling, Floria, Fromelles, Dowager Queen and Nandowra�successful at stakes level this season.

The Derby victory brought up the first Group 1 win for Pins as a broodmare sire. Also standing at Waikato Stud, Pins is the broodmare sire of four stakes winners including Group 3 winner Golden Archer (Rock of Gibraltar).

Pins has the right credentials to become a successful broodmare sire as his sire Snippets is the damsire of 60 stakes winners including Golden Slipper winner Cristal Lily (Stratum) and Newmarket Handicap winner and now sire Wanted (Fastnet Rock).

The Derby win capped off a blue ribbon day for Peter Moody as he also took out the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) with Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force) and the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) with the New Zealand bred Lights of Heaven (Zabeel).