New Zealand Derby

Racing Online - Posts tagged: New Zealand Derby

Laking to realise Derby dream

Jason Laking, a jockey from Canterbury, has always wanted to compete in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400 metres), and on Saturday at Te Rapa, he will finally have the chance to do so. On Saturday, Laking was scheduled to ride at Wingatui, but after Craig Zackey, the rider who was scheduled to go there, returned to his native South Africa, Wexford Stables urged Laking to head north and ride Waitak. “This will be my first ride in the Derby. It has been a lifetime thing that I have always wanted to do and I am grateful just to be there,” Laking said. “I was meant to be riding at Dunedin and then I got the chance to have a ride (in the Derby).[...]
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Prowess out of Derby

Prowess, the second-favourite for Saturday's Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa, has been withdrawn from the $1 million classic. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood weren't happy with the way she was working in the lead-up to the rich feature and have elected to bypass the race in favour of other Group[...]
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Derby trip a plus for Dynastic

Mark Walker is under no illusion about the enormity of the task ahead of Dynastic in this weekend's Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa. The Matamata trainer was delighted with the winning effort of the three-year-old against older opposition on his home track on Saturday and the son of Almanzor has bounced[...]
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Lightning strikes in Avondale Guineas

Classy three-year-old Desert Lightning thrust himself to the forefront of discussions surrounding the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) when he narrowly defeated Waitak to claim victory in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Pukekohe. The Peter and Dawn Williams-trained runner has been highly competitive throughout his Classic season with a half head runner-up[...]
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Derby hope confirmed Pukekohe runner

Group One performer Desert Lightning is unlikely to get his preferred footing at Pukekohe in Saturday's Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2000m), but will start regardless with his future grand final in mind. The talented three-year-old's preparation revolves around the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa on March 4 and this weekend's assignment[...]
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