News

News

posted on 9 May, 2021

Novara Park's Jack creates history

Explosive by name and result was the apt way to describe the jaw-dropping win of rising star Explosive Jack ($4 fav) in the Group 1 SA Derby at Morphettville.

Steered with unbelievable calm from jockey John Allen, who brought up his fourth SA derby in the past six years and his 12th Group 1 overall, Explosive Jack had no luck, sitting three wide for most of the trip.

But Allen didn’t worry with his lack of early fortune to gather in the early leaders and shoot clear on straightening. The victory was Explosive Jack’s third after winning the Australian Derby in April this year and Tasmanian Derby in February.

The winner was trained by the powerful combo of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who also prepared the second horse Let’s Karaka Deel.

Maher said the winner’s fitness was a key. “I was probably a bit nervous early but he was in a really good rhythm,’’ Maher said. “I thought he was in a similar position as the AJC Derby. John said that every time he sits on him he gets better.

Allen, who has enjoyed outstanding success in Australia since relocating from Ireland, whether it be at the provincials, over jumps or at the top level, wasn’t about to hit the panic button after his early position.

“It was messy early but we were three-wide with cover and they went very slow, but I was able to flow into it and when he cruised up to them on the turn, I knew the one thing I didn’t have to worry about was running out the trip.”

Explosive Jack was purchased by Peter Moody, who was taking a break from training at the time, for $100,000 out of the draft of Novara Park at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka.

A half-brother to Pick Number One, the Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2017-18, Explosive Jack is the second stakes-winners from as many to race out of Extra Explosive.

A daughter of Ekraar, Extra Explosive won the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Explosive Dance, the dam of the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Vin de Dance

« Back to news

St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

The Group One G1 St James’s Palace Stakes is the sire making race whose winners include King Of Comedy’s own sire Kingman as well as Frankel, Shamardal and Giants Causeway. While recent second placegetters of the race include current rising star sires Night Of Thunder and Toronado.

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."

Kerrin Mcevoy - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He’s been pleasing us at home but we were worried about the ground and also he was meeting a good field first-up, I had to ride him a bit steady from the gate but he was electric when I asked him to go."
"He’s a nice, big colt with a lovely relaxed attitude and a very good turn of foot."

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."