Brambles led home a NZ Bloodstock trifecta with a brilliant front-running performance in the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
In fact, the first seven horses across the line are either New Zealand bred and/or Karaka graduates.
Brambles (3g Savabeel – Prickle by Pins) also continued New Zealand’s stellar Queensland Derby record which has seen Kiwi bred horses claim 17 Derby victories around the world since 2010.
The Peter Moody trained gelding has flourished into a top talent at the winter carnival winning the G3 BRC Grand Prix and G3 Rough Habit Plate in the lead-up to Saturday’s classic.
Brambles (NZ) was taken to the lead after jumping from a wide gate and set a good pace for the 2400 metre classic. Rounding the 600 metre mark, the son of Savabeel had the field under pressure and was dominant in the straight, maintaining a strong gallop to win by over a length.
“It was a good tough effort,” Moody said. “He has climbed the mountain each time this horse and he continued to show improvement right throughout his preparation. He has done a tremendous job.”
G1 Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential (NZ) put in a brilliant showing to run into second place. The Fast ‘N’ Famous filly lost no admirers after a tough run in transit.
The first two home were followed by Westsouthwest (Darci Brahma), Tohunga (Zabeel), Vatuvei (Reset), Zabeelionaire (Zabeel) and Red Shift (Lucky Unicorn).
They all carry the (NZ) suffix except for the winner’s stablemate Vatuvei who was sold out of the Hallmark Stud draft for $150,000 at the 2010 NZB Karaka yearling sale.
Bred by Celia Crawshaw, Brambles was purchased by Moody Racing from Waikato Stud at NZ Bloodstock’s 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $100,000. He has now earned over $565,000.
Moody also purchased the full brother to Brambles at this year’s Karaka Premier Sale from Anistay Lodge for $110,000.
Brambles is the third individual Group 1 winner for his Cox Plate winning sire Savabeel (Zabeel). The Waikato Stud resident sired his first Group 1 winner at the winter carnival last year with Scarlett Lady winning the Queensland Oaks. Sangster added to his classic tally when winning the Group 1 VRC Derby in the spring.
The sire of 17 stakes winners, Savabeel has also seen the likes of Strike the Stars, Lady Kipling, Floria, Fromelles, Dowager Queen and Nandowra successful at stakes level this season.
The Derby victory brought up the first Group 1 win for Pins as a broodmare sire. Also standing at Waikato Stud, Pins has the right credentials to become a successful broodmare sire as his sire Snippets is the damsire of 60 stakes winners including Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily (Stratum) and Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted (Fastnet Rock).
Brambles