New Zealand Derby winner Military Move (NZ) returned from a successful stint in Hong Kong to score a resounding victory at Awapuni on Tuesday.

Military Move (6g Volksraad – All Night Party by Just A Dancer) carried top weight of 59kg in the Ecolab Handicap (2100m).  He was exported after the G1 NZ Derby at Ellerslie in 2010 and won twice in Hong Kong before returning home earlier this year.

“To get a top horse back to his best brings about a great sense of achievement,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.  “He’s won almost $2 million so we will have to be careful with him in the handicaps and keep his races well-spaced.

“He may go straight to the G3 Waikato Gold Cup and then maybe the G2 City of Auckland Cup.”

Windsor Park Stud had originally sold the youngster for $75,000 at the 2008 NZB Select yearling sale.  They will offer his Mastercraftsman half brother at next week’s NZB Ready To Run Sale at Karaka.

Mastercraftsman has made an acclaimed start to his stud career in Europe.  His first northern crop includes G1 Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill.