Empires Choice Caps Karaka Derby Domination

In capturing the A$500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Empires Choice (Redoute's Choice x Rosie's Star) became the�fifth Derby winner in Australia this season to have graced New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sale ring.

Providing Bart Cummings with his 30th Derby victory Empires Choice was hunted up by Damien Oliver from near last on the turn to sprint home and greet the judge a head in front of Volcanic Star (Fuji Kiseki x Starnet). Michael Rodd rode stable-mate Sirmione (Encosta de Lago x World Guide) to finish a neck back in third.

Cummings has a Melbourne Spring campaign firmly set in his sights for Empires Choice, commenting that the impressive looking colt will be even better in the Spring. To further justify a Cups bid, he is a grandson of 1988 Melbourne Cup winner, the 18 hand high mare, Empire Rose (by Sir Tristram). Cummings has trained ten winners for eleven wins (including Think Big who won it twice) in the iconic race.

Cummings purchased Empires Choice from his breeders, Whakanui Stud, for NZ$210,000 at the 2005 Karaka Premier Sale. He has won over A$800,000 in prize money from his three wins and seven placings from 15 starts.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduates have dominated the Derby scene this season with Fiumicino (Zabeel x Latte) winning the AJC Derby; Guyno (O'Reilly x River Century) winning the WA Derby; a quinella in the VRC Derby with Efficient (Zabeel x Refused the Dance) and Gorky Park (Montjeu x Steluta) and the Peter Moody trained Currigee (Danewin x Hi Queen) winning the Tasmanian Derby.

In addition, New Zealand Bloodstock graduates Vital King (Almutawakel x Wauwinet) and Ka Lam Fortune (My Halo x Winkum) secured the Hong Kong and Macau Derbys.

One race earlier, in the Group 1 A$1,020,000 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), 2003 Karaka Premier Sale graduate Benedetti (Second Empire x Seattle Gem) produced a game third. Trained by Tony Noonan, he recently returned from Dubai where he recorded two wins and a fifth placing in the Listed Nad al Sheeba Mile. Noonan bid to NZ$110,000 to secure the Heytesbury Thoroughbreds bred colt from Bob and Glenda Skinner's Shelby Park draft.

Further south at Moonee Valley, Blitz'em Riley (O'Reilly x Covered N'Grey) took out the A$101,000 Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) by a nose from Adaptor and fellow Karaka graduate Muzdaher (Stravinsky x Gazebo) a further half head away in third.

Blitz'em O'Reilly was bred by Llanhennock Trust and was purchased by Doug Harrison from Rich Hill Stud at the 2005 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$28,000. Saturday's win was the gelding's second from just three starts, bringing his prize money total to over A$80,000 for his owners which include trainer, Marion Shears.

Muzdaher, bred by Abingdon Thoroughbreds, was a NZ$140,000 purchase by Shadwell Stud Australasia from Wentwood Grange at the 2005 Karaka Premier Sale. The Stud races the colt out of the Flemington stable of David Hayes.

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