2014 New Zealand Derby

The 2014 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 1 March 2014. It was the 139th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Puccini.[1]

Puccini was the favourite for the race on the strength of impressive victories in the Great Northern Guineas, Waikato Guineas and Avondale Guineas. He showed a distinct fondness for front-running tactics in these victories, leading throughout and scoring emphatic victories. The same tactics were widely expected to be repeated in the Derby. But Puccini was slow out of the gates and was fourth last in the 18-horse field after the first 500m. He made a spectacular move halfway down the back stretch, sweeping to the lead. He kicked strongly at the turn and held on for an impressive and convincing two-length win over Rising Romance, with Glorious Lad another four lengths away in third.

Puccini's spectacular performance received a rapturous reception from the Ellerslie crowd, and prompted rider Michael Walker to declare that Puccini was the best horse he'd ever ridden.[2]

Rising Romance made up ground from near the back of the field to finish second. She is by the same sire and trained by the same stable as 2013 Derby winner Habibi. Glorious Lad took third.

Race details

Full result

Margin Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1 Puccini Michael Walker Peter & Jacob McKay $3.20
2 2 Rising Romance Michael Coleman Donna & Dean Logan $3.50
3 2½ Glorious Lad Mark du Plessis Shaune Ritchie $14.20
4 3¼ Kentucky Son Trudy Thornton Lee Somervell $145.50
5 Neck We'regoingtogetcha Kelly Myers David Hayes $9.50
6 ½ Fast Dragon Johnathon Parkes Bruce Wallace $50.80
7 Neck Chipandchase Noel Harris Stephen Marsh $56.00
8 3 Maygrove Chris Johnson Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman $25.60
9 ½ Blizzard Opie Bosson Jeff McVean & Emma-Lee Browne $33.80
10 ¾ Thorn Pass Danielle Johnson Lisa Latta $87.10
11 ¼ Lucky Feather Craig Grylls Toby Autridge & Cyril Goodwin $52.60
12 ½ The Fire Inside Mark Sweeney Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby $50.80
13 ¾ Colonel Carrera Rory Hutchings Graeme & Debbie Rogerson $76.80
14 ¼ Spellbinder Matthew Cameron Jason Bridgman $7.10
15 ½ Habitual Offender Leith Innes Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby $25.60
16 Neck King Savinsky Hayden Tinsley Jason Bridgman $100.20
17 9 Stand Your Ground Vinnie Colgan Donna & Dean Logan $32.80
18 18 Mr Frankey Sam Spratt Lisa Latta $60.30

Winner's details

Further details of the winner, Puccini:

The road to the Derby

Early-season appearances in 2013-14 prior to running in the Derby.

Subsequent Group 1 wins

Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2014 New Zealand Derby.

References

  1. ↑ Bull, Alastair (2 March 2014). "Walker shines on Puccini in New Zealand Derby". Racing Post. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Ryan, Dennis (1 March 2014). "Puccini stunning as game plan goes out the window". The Informant. Retrieved 2 March 2014.