Explosive Jack (NZ) Dominates Tasmanian Derby

Another name was added to a proven Derby family when Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) romped to an emphatic victory in Friday’s A$150,000 Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in Hobart.

Bought for $100,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2019, Explosive Jack is out of stakes-winning mare Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar). She is a half-sister to the dam of Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Vin de Dance (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who was also purchased at Karaka.

Explosive Jack has now scored impressive wins in three of his four starts to date, earning A$120,110 in stakes for a large group of owners and trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

He was a class above his Tasmanian Derby rivals on Friday, sprinting from second-last and powering clear to win by three and three-quarter lengths in the hands of jockey John Allen.

“He went to sleep early,” Allen said. “We got a long way back, but luckily enough they rolled along at a solid tempo.

“We trucked into the race nicely around the corner, and once he met the hill he really took off. There was never any issue about him staying.”

Explosive Jack is a half-brother to Pick Number One (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who was passed in at both the 2016 Premier Sale and Ready to Run Sale. He has won five races in Hong Kong, where he was named Champion Griffin in 2017-18, and has earned more than HK$4.8 million.

Another half-brother, by Time Test, was bought by Benner Racing for $65,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021.