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Jack produces explosive performance to win Australian Derby
Late Novara Park-based sire Jakkalberry (Storming Home) sired his first Group 1 winner when the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack (3 c ex Extra Explosive by Ekraar) took the step into Group 1 company in his stride as he landed the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick on Saturday - leading home a 1-2-3 for New Zealand breds in the Group 1.
In winning the Group 1, the three-year-old colt etched himself into the record books, becoming the first horse to win the Tasmanian Derby (Listed, 2200m) and go on to take out the Australian Derby.
Ridden by John Allen, the colt was placed at the back and began to make his move approaching the turn. The colt was very wide as the field straightened and kept galloping bravely to just edge out Young Werther (Tavistock) in the shadow of the winning post, eventually beating him by a nose.
Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Lion's Roar (Contributer) was another head away in third.
Since his victory in the Tasmanian Derby, Explosive Jack finished third behind stablemate Grandslam (Myboycharlie) in the Alister Clark Stakes (Gr 2, 2040m) at Moonee Valley on March 13 and he was last seen running second in the St Leger Trial (2200m) on March 27 - he was beaten that day by Liqueuro (Fiorente) - who franked that form later on Saturday when he took out the Galilee Series Final (Listed, 2400m) at Caulfield.
It is the second Group 1 win in as many weeks for the Maher / Eustace stable, with the co-trainers having taken out the HE Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) with Sir Dragonet (Camelot) last Saturday.
"This horse, we've moved him around. He was in Victoria, he came up here and (jockey) Johnny Allen actually thought the Tassie Derby might be a good race for him," Maher said.
"Then we thought, with the ease of that, we would target this and it was a ten out of ten ride to Johnny.
"This horse has been in work a long time. It's been to all our stables and the team have done an extraordinary job with him."
Purchased by Peter Moody for $100,000 at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2019 from the Novara Park draft - where the stallion resided until his death in 2018, Explosive Jack is out of the Listed-winning Ekraar (Red Ransom) mare Extra Explosive.
Extra Explosive herself is a half-sister to Listed-placed Explosive Dancer (San Luis) - the dam New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Vin De Dance (Roc De Cambes).
Further back this is the same family as Group 3 winner The Red Express (Exploding Prospect).
Extra Explosive's colt by Little Avondale shuttler Time Test (Dubawi) was purchased by Benner Racing for NZ$65,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale earlier this year.
Explosive Jack is the only stakes winner for Jakkalberry and he died in 2018 after succumbing to a gut infection.
