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posted on 5 March, 2018

Novara Park bred wins NZ Derby.

The highs and lows of racing were clearly evident this week for Novara Park stud.

While last week they still mourning the loss of their foundation sire Jakkalberry the Novara Park bred and part owned Vin De Dance toughed it out to victory in the Group One Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Saturday.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman Vin De Dance defeated Mongolianconqueror, with the only filly in the event Danzdanzdance the pre-race favourite placing third.

A winner on debut at Counties, Vin De Dance went onto run a pair of seconds at Te Rapa before heading to Melbourne last spring for a crack at the Victoria Derby.

In two starts he ran a third and a fifth in top three-year-old races at Caulfield and Moonee Valley but the Baker-Forsman camp elected to pull him out of the Derby.

Champion jockey Damien Oliver, who rode him in both starts, was of the opinion the horse had plenty of promise but needed more time to develop.

"He was just a big raw horse and was very green," Baker said. "He (Oliver) told us that he just needed more time. He told us he was an autumn horse and he's proven to be dead right," Baker said.

Baker confirmed on Sunday that Vin De Dance will head to Sydney as he and Forsman plan a trans-Tasman Derby assault.

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St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

King Of Comedy put in an outstanding effort to finish second beaten a neck by Champion 3YO Miler in France Circus Maximus and half a length ahead of Champion 3YO Colt in Europe Too Darn Hot.

RaceNet - www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/press-statement

Says of Press Statement :

Given that it has won at Group One level and has amassed $1,832,275 in career earnings, Press Statement is regarded as an elite class of racehorse.

James Mcdonald - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He was awesome. We got back in a slowly run race so his (sectional) splits
would have been amazing."

Henry Plumptre - Managing Director of Darley Australia.

Says of Sweynesse :

"These three colts are the best colts this year and there is probably a half-length
between them. It is fantastic."

Hideaki Fujiwara - Champion Trainer Japan

Says of Staphanos :

“Staphanos had outstanding ability showing speed and stamina. He was mentally and physically tough. I expect his progeny to be the same!”

Michael Cox - Former South China Morning Post and now The Age racing writer saw Staphanos in the flesh on the track and in his impressive morning workouts

Says of Staphanos :

"Staphanos is a horse of substance, mixing toughness and a no-nonsense temperament in a career in which he raced and beat some of the best Japan had to offer. What a coup by Luigi Muollo and Novara Park to secure this stallion and what an incredible opportunity for New Zealand breeders to send mares to such a highly credentialed son of Deep Impact. He has the looks, pedigree and racetrack performances to be a hit at stud. He could be a real game changer and just the type of stallion New Zealand needs."