Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade provided his connections with the perfect dress rehearsal for his Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) challenge next month when he gave his age-group rivals a start and a beating over 1600m at Tauranga on Saturday.

The last start Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner looked a picture of health as he paraded before the start and raced accordingly as he proved too classy in the closing stages of the contest.

Rider Craig Grylls allowed the Fastnet Rock colt to amble along at the rear of the six-horse field before commencing a sweeping run at the 600m.

Grylls had Rocket Spade fully wound up shortly after straightening and he dashed clear to win untouched by two lengths from the chasing pack, headed by Marchioness.

Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan, who prepares Rocket Spade in partnership with Andrew Scott, was delighted with the performance and how the colt had pulled up after the race.

“He travelled nicely throughout and when Craig asked him to go he put them away pretty easily,” O’Sullivan said.

“We weren’t too sure what to expect as we have concentrated on getting him ready for the 2400m of the Australian Derby, so he could have been vulnerable over the mile today.

“I think his class shone through in the end and he has had a really good hit out which will help bring him along for his Sydney mission.”

O’Sullivan confirmed the horse would travel to Sydney on Monday April 5 with the Australian Derby set to be run at Randwick on April 10.

“This was a nice race for him today as he needed a run after freshening up following the New Zealand Derby,” he said.

“He was back in his box at home an hour or so after the race and looked to have taken no harm from it.

“He can have a couple of easy days and then travel over on the Monday before the race.

“We have booked Kerrin McEvoy to ride him in the Derby, so it is all go from here.”

Raced by Hermitage Thoroughbreds, a racing and breeding operation headed by Hong Kong businessman Eugene Chuan, Rocket Spade has now won five of his 9 starts and over $758,000 in prizemoney.

-Kevin Robertson, horsebetting.com.au

After winning the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Rocket Spade on Sunday, trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were basking in the glory of a job well done.

The training duo quite rightly celebrated the blue riband victory with close friends and family in Matamata on Sunday night after leaving a strangely quiet Ellerslie, which conducted the feature meeting a day later than planned under COVID-19 alert level 2 conditions.

“It was a really satisfying win and great for the whole team at Wexford,” O’Sullivan said. “Scotty and I both woke up with sore heads on Monday.”

Raced by Hermitage Thoroughbreds, a racing and breeding operation headed by Hong Kong businessman Eugene Chuang, Rocket Spade’s connections were keen to win a Derby and O’Sullivan said it was very satisfying to accomplish the mission.

“Five years ago, the owner gave us the opportunity to buy a horse for them, and that was the brief, to try and win a Derby,” he said.

“That was the third runner for the owner in the New Zealand Derby. Dragon Leap ran fourth last year and we also had Cha Siu Bao contest the Derby won by Gingernuts.

“The saddle slipped and he bucked coming out of the gates and finished 40 lengths last. That was their introduction to having a Derby runner so it was a little bit demoralising, and it is very satisfying to get a result on Sunday.”

A trip across the Tasman is now in the offing for the Group One-winning son of Fastnet Rock.

“We will be going to Sydney but just what we are going to run in, we’re not 100 percent sure yet,” O’Sullivan said.

“The owners are keen to go. I know the Australian Derby (Group 1, 2400m) looks the obvious race but we have nominated him for a few races and we will make that call in conjunction with the owners.”

In addition to the Australian Derby, the three-year-old holds nominations for the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

As a well-bred Group One winning colt, O’Sullivan admitted the potential stud value of Rocket Spade could have a bearing as to which races he contests in Australia and he is also mindful that it is challenging to peak on multiple occasions.

“That was his grand final for us yesterday, that’s what we were thinking,” O’Sullivan said.

“After his Avondale Guineas (Group 2, 2100m) win he pulled up and had a decent heave. We didn’t have to step up his work as that race fit him for the Derby and he was just in the zone yesterday.”

While It was a third Derby triumph for Scott, who previously saddled Cut the Cake and Xcellent in partnership with Mike Moroney in the early 2000s, for O’Sullivan it was his first in a training capacity, and 28 years on since he saluted in the Classic aboard Popsy, trained by his father Dave and brother Paul.

“It doesn’t seem that long ago. I can vividly remember things that happened that day,” O’Sullivan said.

All four of O’Sullivan and Scott’s runners at Ellerslie on Sunday sported the familiar dark green with red chevrons of Hermitage Thoroughbreds, including Group One-performed mare Spring Heat, who might have run her last race in New Zealand and didn’t appreciate the rain-softened conditions at Ellerslie on Sunday when third to emerging talent Entriviere in the Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m).

“After yesterday, there is really not a lot left for her in New Zealand unless we take her to Australia and look at somewhere like Brisbane,” O’Sullivan said.

“She is a very fast, top-of-the-ground mare.

“She has been a wonderful mare for the stable and I can’t see too many more races on the program here that will enhance her CV further.”

Summer Passage was a well-held seventh in the same race, with the six-year-old, who is stakes placed this preparation heading to the paddock and will return next season.

O’Sullivan was pleased with the run of Cha Siu Bao in an open 1500m race and hope to prepare the seven-year-old for a Group target back at Ellerslie next month, with fingers crossed for firmer conditions.

“He finished a creditable third and the ground was probably a little bit too testing for him but there is a race like the Easter Handicap (Group 2, 1600m) that Andrew and I are hoping to prepare him for,” O’Sullivan said.

Meanwhile, the stable is hoping to have another Sydney-bound runner, with Group Three winner Force Of Will to step out over 1600m at Ellerslie on Saturday in what will be her fifth raceday appearance.

“The plan is to run in the Vinery Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) and we are going to run her this Saturday in a special conditions maiden over a mile,” O’Sullivan said.

“She is owned by Sir Owen Glenn and I think she is still pretty untapped and certainly deserves her chance.

“The plan was to run in the New Zealand Oaks (Group 1, 2400m) but she had a little setback with a bad blood and missed a race, so we elected to get her right and if she performs well on Saturday she will get her ticket to Sydney.”

-Joshua Smith, horsebetting.com.au

The lessons learned from losing a Derby last year helped the Rocket Spade team win the $1 million New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie today.

After a week of Derby uncertainty on so many levels, the favourite came out on top, downing Milford and Frontman courtesy of some smart training and a beautiful Craig Grylls ride.

Grylls was last on the inside at the 600m in the classic run on a slow track after rain fell during the meeting but didn’t panic, cutting the final corner before edging to the middle of the track.

That meant Rocket Spade covered less ground than the placegetters and he was holding them at the line to give his sire Fastnet Rock his second Derby winner in succession at Ellerslie.

Rocket Spade is trained by former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who was brought to tears of relief by the victory.

“[The tears] are partly because of what happened last year when we got beat with Dragon Leap,” said Scott. “It was for the same owners and there is a lot of pressure when people entrust you with these nice colts and you get them as far as the Derby with a huge chance.

“Last year, Dragon Leap was probably too brilliant for the 2400m, but we learned from that. We tried to train this horse to settle and were also more relaxed about the week ourselves and didn’t let it get to us as much. And that extended to Craig’s ride. He said he wanted to ride him for luck and we told him we were comfortable with that.”

Scott and O’Sullivan also took the gamble of giving Rocket Spade two starts over distance (2000m and further) in his build-up, willing to teach him to settle and stay, knowing it might cost him some of his natural speed. In a wet and wild Derby, it proved a masterstroke.

Rocket Spade may eventually end up in Hong Kong, where he is owned, but before then, he could head to another Derby in Sydney, with the ATC Derby next month often run on a rain-affected track.

“We know he can handle the wet track now, so Sydney is an option, but we want to enjoy this first.”

Runner-up Milford and third-placed Frontman are also likely to head to Sydney, and both are still new and could improve further, while favoured runners Montre Moi and Tokorangi got back and never looked winning hopes, although any horses beaten today are worth forgiving.

One of those was almost Amarelinha, who only just justified her hot favouritism in the $70,000 Sunline Vase, grabbing Needle And Thread right on the line after covering lengths more ground and not looking happy on the slow surface.

“She had to be good to win that because the race didn’t go our way but she showed real fight, which is a good sign for the Derby,” said jockey Opie Bosson.

The most graphic victory came from Entriviere in the $100,000 Kings Plate. She made it five wins from six starts with a dazzling burst of speed to power past some of New Zealand’s elite sprinters in a display that had even trainer Jamie Richards, who won five races, wondering how far she might go.

“She is a very fast mare and I am certain she is up to Group 1 level,” said Richards.

● Ellerslie bosses are hoping to confirm by Wednesday their intention to hold Saturday’s huge Auckland Cup meeting fully open to the public.

“Obviously we are guided by the Government but we would love to able to welcome everybody who wants to be here back to the races for Cup Day,” said ARC chief executive Paul Wilcox.

-Michael Guerin, NZ Herald

In a desperate three-way finish to the blue riband Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), it was race favourite Rocket Spade who came out on top at the conclusion of a thrilling contest.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had gone into the race off a strong performance to win the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in his final lead-up to Sunday’s feature event at Ellerslie.

That run had hinted the son of Fastnet Rock would thrive on the 2400m of the Derby and so it proved as rider Craig Grylls provided a masterclass in getting Rocket Spade home after the pair were in last position with just 600m to run.

With no natural pacemaker, several lead changes ensued contributing to a steady but muddling pace throughout the contest and there were a number of runners feeling the pinch approaching the home turn. Grylls had Rocket Spade travelling strongly and gambled on a run through the pack as many of his more fancied rivals skirted wide around the bend.

The lengths that Grylls saved proved the difference as Rocket Spade joined Milford and Frontman at the 250m to fight out the final stages. In a slogging finish Rocket Spade dug deep to win by half a length from Milford who just shaded Frontman for second.

O’Sullivan was fighting hard to keep his emotions in check as he praised his training partner, Scott, and the team at their Wexford Stables for their contributions to the victory.

“This is pretty special for Andrew and all the team,” O’Sullivan said.

“Scotty has done a great job with this horse and it’s a great result.

“Paul (O’Sullivan’s brother) found this horse at the sales and he keeps taking credit for it, so good on him.

“They went hard and Craig (Grylls) said he was going to ride him for luck as he believed in the horse.

“It was a no panic, ten out of ten ride, that won him the race.”

O’Sullivan also thanked owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds, a racing and breeding operation headed by Hong Kong businessman Eugene Chuang.

While they came up short in the 2020 New Zealand Derby with the well-fancied Dragon Leap, who finished fourth, Hermitage have had considerable success in New Zealand with the O’Sullivan-Scott team, boasting Group One victories with Willie Cazals and Summer Passage, in addition to multiple elite level placings with Group Three winner Spring Heat.

“Thanks to team Hermitage who let us buy him at the sales,” he said.

“They told us we had five years to buy them a Derby winner and we’ve done it.

“This horse probably has the genes to run further than Dragon Leap, who was a little brilliant for the Derby distance, and showed great stamina today.”

O’Sullivan was also delighted to get his first win in the New Zealand Derby as a trainer after winning the race in 1990 on Surfers Paradise and again in 1993 aboard Popsy, during his storied career in the saddle.

“This is probably more special for me as it is a lot harder to do as a trainer,” he said.

“I’m just thrilled for Craig and the great team we have behind us.

“Andrew told me I could retire now as I’ve won a Derby.”

It was the second win in the race for Grylls, who had been aboard rank outsider Crown Prosecutor when he took out the 2019 edition of the race.

“That was unbelievable,” Grylls said.

“I’m just rapt to get one for Lance and Scotty as throughout my career they have been one of my biggest supporters.

“For them to put their trust in me to ride the horse, I’m just absolutely stoked.

“Lance started helping me when I first went to Matamata and I have a lot to thank him for.

“They weren’t going any real tempo in the race and at the 1300m they put the brakes on and he (Rocket Spade) got going a little bit hard.

“A few of them started going wide so I thought that was my chance to save a few lengths and ride for luck which I got.

“I was thinking don’t get there (the front) too soon, but he is such an honest horse he got the trip nicely.”

Rocket Spade is out of the Stakes placed mare Affairoftheheart and comes from an extended family that includes dual Group One winner Soriano. He has now won four of his 8 starts and over $745,000 in prizemoney.

A decision will be made as to whether Rocket Spade presses on to targets in Sydney, while placegetters Milford and Frontman are both booked to travel across the Tasman on Monday week.  

-New Zealand Racing Desk, racing.com

Life without Winx is all that it seems for Chris Waller, but moving on after training the four-time Cox Plate champion wasn’t so easy.

Like the lingering memories of a break-up, it took a while for Sydney’s leading trainer to come to terms with the next stage of his career, but nearly two years after Winx’s retirement, Waller is thriving at the helm of one of the world’s most successful stables.

“The loss of tension side of things was good because we were able to get on and do what we enjoy doing and that’s working with horses, instead of worrying about Winx all the time,” Waller reflects.

“Going into Saturday – it’s a big day in Sydney and Melbourne – it’ll just be another day making sure we do the best we can and hoping the horses come home safe.”

– Damien Ractliffe, The Age

Chris Waller is confident September Run is the right horse to win the Newmarket Handicap.

The talented three-year-old filly is second-up in the 1200m sprint at Flemington following her fast-finishing second behind stablemate Nature Strip in the Lightning Stakes last month.

Champion trainer Waller has explained why he believes September Run can vindicate her favouritism at her pet track, where she has three wins and a second from four placings all under jockey Craig Williams.

“I guess she is (the right horse), yeah. Her form is pretty good,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.

“It was great to see her first start against the older horses in the Lightning. She went well and finished off so strongly.

“She’s got the right profile. Obviously it’s easier said than done. It’s not an easy race to win, but we’ve got the right horse. As simple as that.”

Waller also gave some insight as to why the daughter of Exceed And Excel has such a penchant for straight racing.

“She is from a property that has got a straight track. From day one she’s worked up the straight every day of her life,” he added.

“There must be something in that. Maybe she’s got other attributes as well, but that’s the one thing I can certainly declare.

“She works on a straight track every day other than coming to Rosehill or Flemington when she’s doing her basic track work.”

Along with $2.20 TAB favourite September Run, Waller also saddles up $16 hope Imaging in the Group 1 sprint on Saturday.

Later on the same card is the feature race, the Australian Cup, over 2000 metres with the Waller stable preparing strong each-way chance Shared Ambition and old boy Humidor for the weight-for-age race.

“I see him (Shared Ambition) as more an 1800-2000 metre horse,” he said.

“We tried to make him stay and he failed last preparation so concentrating on a set distance has helped him.

“His run in the Peter Young (last start at Caulfield) was very good, he just didn’t have luck.

“He’s come through it well. He’s well prepared coming into a 2000 metre race of this calibre third-up.”

As for Humidor?

“He does go very well fresh and we thought it was the best way to attack the race.”

Waller also revealed that a big weight impost on Nature Strip prompted him to avoid the Newmarket Handicap and head towards the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick on the same day.

-Andrew Slevison, SEN