Tasmanian Derby Double for Payne’s Karaka Graduates

Victorian trainer Patrick Payne has claimed back-to-back victories in the A$150,000 Listed Graham Family Funerals Tasmanian Derby (2200m) with three-year-olds sourced from Karaka.

A year after winning the Hobart feature with subsequent Group One star Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel), Payne won the 2024 edition on Friday with the exciting up-and-comer Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish).

Bold Soul was a $20,000 purchase by Hamish Auret from Te Keeti Bloodstock’s Book 2 draft at Karaka 2022. His six-start career has now produced four wins, two placings and A$278,925 in stakes.

A spectacular last-to-first winner of the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) on January 26, Bold Soul was sent out as a commanding Tasmanian Derby favourite. After settling in fifth for jockey Jake Noonan, he moved away from the rail and pounced on the leaders at the home turn.

Fellow Karaka graduate Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) went with him and pushed him hard down the Hobart straight, but Bold Soul pulled out enough to edge out that rival by a short head.

“The key to him is trying to get the first half right,” Noonan said. “It is not about where you are positioned, but what sort of rhythm you’re in. They probably stacked up a little bit quick coming down the hill, and he did a really good job today, because he was quite fierce for a good three furlongs there. That is hard to do over these sort of trips.

“He presented at the right time, looked likely to win, and whether that early work just took its toll late or whether he had a think about it, I’m not sure. But his class rose the occasion. Credit to the horse – he did a great job.”

Payne was represented on course at Hobart by his sister, former Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle.

“He had to dig deep, but he got there and that’s all that matters,” she said. “It’s great for Patrick and all of his owners. We’re just thrilled, and it was a really good ride from Jake Noonan here today.

“He probably doesn’t help himself with the way he missed the start a little bit today and he gets a bit keen mid-race, but he switched off halfway through and was able to get to the outside and it was smooth sailing from there. It was nice to see him get over the line in front.”

Bold Soul’s connections would love to see this year’s Tasmanian Derby follow in the footsteps of his stablemate Dunkel. Bought for $40,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021 and $100,000 from the Ready to Run Sale, he won last year’s Tasmanian Derby on his way to a Group One triumph in the South Australian Derby (2500m) last May. His 10-start career has produced seven wins, two placings and A$769,375.

Bold Soul and Gold Wolf were the only two Karaka graduates in this year’s Tasmanian Derby field, and they filled the quinella. Runner-up Gold Wolf was bought for $80,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, and he has so far earned A$49,550 from a six-start career that has featured a win and two placings.

Vendor	Te Keeti Bloodstock Ltd
Purchaser	Mr HN Auret (Manawatu-Whanganui)
Breeding	Embellish – Twin Soul
Sale	Lot 665, Karaka 2022 Book 2, $20,000
Bred by	Te Keeti Bloodstock Ltd