Ready to Run Superstar Remains Undefeated in NZB 3-Year-Old Trophy

The RM100,000 NZB  3-Year-Old Trophy (1400m) was created with the goal of showcasing the talented horses being imported into Malaysia from New Zealand, and undefeated superstar Antipodean (Derryn) achieved that aim in supreme style at Selangor on Saturday.

It was the seventh win of a flawless seven-start career for Antipodean, who cost just $23,000 at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. He has earned more than RM170,000, which is the equivalent of around NZ$60,000.

Antipodean dominated attention in the lead-up to Saturday’s race, having made a huge impression winning all of his first six starts including last month’s RM100,000 Pacific 3YO Cup (1200m). He was widely expected to carry on his winning way in the NZB 3-Year-Old Trophy, and he duly delivered.

Ridden by Brazilian jockey Carlos Henrique for trainer Simon Dunderdale, Antipodean was caught three-wide in the early stages of the race as he settled in about fifth position. Despite covering so much extra ground, he began to march forward out wide as the field came down the side of the track towards the home turn.

Antipodean loomed on the outside of the leaders at the top of the home straight and then quickly sprinted past them to take command inside the final 200 metres.

“He (Antipodean) raced all the way on the bridle,” said Henrique who has ridden nine winners in Singapore this season.

“The straight here is quite long and he hit the front earlier than I had wanted. He took the lead easily and then relaxed. So I had to work him hard towards the end.

“It’s my first time here and I enjoyed the track. It’s an amazing chance to come today and I hope to come here more often.”

“Antipodean is a special horse,” said Dunderdale. “Seven wins in-a-row is quite a feat.

“He was caught wide throughout but credit to Carlos (Henrique) for not panicking and finished the race well.”

Graphjet Express (NZ) (Belardo) and Military Flag (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) chased hard through the final stages and ate into the margin, but Antipodean was in a different class and swept to victory by a length and a quarter. The 1400 metres were run in 1:22.64.

Antipodean was bred and sold by Grangewilliam Stud. Both of the placegetters were also Ready to Run Sale graduates, with Graphjet Express costing $75,000 and Military Flag being bought for $52,500. They were offered in the drafts of Lilywhites Lodge and Kilgravin Lodge respectively.

The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 20 and 21.

Vendor	Karaka 2022: Grangewilliam StudReady to Run Sale: Regal Farm
Purchaser	Mr S Dunderdale (Malaysia)
Breeding	Derryn – Pakapunch
Sale	Lot 974, Karaka 2022 Book 2, Psd (Res $40,000)Lot 204, 2022 Ready to Run Sale, $23,000
Bred by	Grangewilliam Stud Ltd