Classic success for Goodwood
04 Mar 2017Goodwood Stud celebrated a dream Group One result when Gingernuts dunked his New Zealand Derby opposition at Ellerslie this afternoon.
The son of Iffraaj and Double Elle, sold at Karaka by the Palmerston North farm as a weanling, followed up his Gr 2 Avondale Guineas victory with another stunning performance to claim top honours in the Blue Riband classic.
Given a peach of a ride by Opie Bosson, the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained gelding finished stoutly to win with authority.
“It was a terrific run and I’m so thrilled for the whole team, for Jamie and Steve who’ve done a fantastic job and Opie who just rode a sensational race,” Te Akau principal David Ellis said.
“It’s a first Derby for Te Akau and just a great occasion. For the whole team who work so hard at Te Akau it’s just wonderful.”
Co-trainer Jamie Richards was also full of praise for the team behind the success.
“It’s a huge buzz as we didn’t know where we were before the Avondale Guineas,” he said.
“He went home and improved and was just a really happy horse. It’s a big thanks to the staff at home who all do a super job as the quality of care these horses get is second to none.”
Bosson was quick to acknowledge some luck had played a vital part in the win after nearly colliding with Savile Row.
“I went to go inside Savile Row at the 600 metre mark as he was hanging out but he ducked back in,” he said.
“I then committed to go outside, but he ran off again however I was travelling pretty good at the time and knew I had a lot of horse under me.
“He (Gingernuts) started laying in down the straight but he did it easy in the end as he was having a bit of a gaze at the finish.”
Gingernuts may get the opportunity to further his record overseas with Te Akau contemplating a trip to Brisbane for the Queensland Winter Carnival later in the year.