NZ Scores International Derby Success

New Zealand’s international success spread to Malaysia on Sunday with the kiwi galloper Carbon Copy (NZ) (Volksraad) triumphant in the Listed Rgt500,000 Perak Derby (2400m).

A three-quarter brother to Group 1 New Zealand Derby winner Military Move, Carbon Copy obviously inherited the family’s staying genes as he powered to a 1.8 length victory over 2400m for his owner the Super Singh Stable.

The son of Volksraad was stepping up to the top level in Malaysia for the first time but carried strong form over staying distances, winning over 2000m as well as collecting two second placings from three starts over the distance.

Carbon Copy started his career in Singapore under the guidance of Laurie Laxon before being sent to Malaysia after a single win at Kranji. The gelding has been with four different trainers in Malaysia, with current trainer Stephen Cook taking over late last year. Cook has been the horse’s most successful trainer, responsible for three of the gelding’s seven wins.

The five-year-old gelding has won seven races from 32 starts and NZ$207,000 in prizemoney racing in Singapore and Malaysia.

Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Carbon Copy is out of the unraced mare Mardi Gras (Kaapstad), a three-quarter sister to dual Group 1 winner Catalan Opening (Kaapstad). Mardi Gras is out of All Night Party, the dam of Group 1 New Zealand Derby winner Military Move.

Wallace Thoroughbreds Ltd purchased Carbon Copy as a yearling for NZ$53,000 at the 2010 Karaka Select Sale from Windsor Park Stud.

New Zealand horses have a good record in the Perak Derby winning three of the last seven events with the likes of The Embassy – Mr Ambassador (NZ) (Danasinga), Generous Tycoon (NZ) (Generous) and Kiko’s Return (NZ) (Minardi) all recent winners of the Malaysian Group 1 race.

On the same card as the Derby feature, New Zealand galloper Nothing to Lose (NZ) (Fast n Famous) claimed one of the first heats of the Malaysia 2014 3YO Championship and Ninetyfive Power (NZ) (Ishiguru) also winning on the day.