Explosive Jack gives owners another Randwick triumph

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), trained by Maher and David Eustace for an exuberant group of more than a dozen owners, defied double-digit odds with a supreme staying performance in the $2 million G1 Bentley Australian Derby.

“The owners are great mates and they’re just a really good bunch of people,” Maher said. “They really enjoy the roller coaster of racing. They were fortunate enough to be here with Kenedna not so long ago, and now to be back here again – I couldn’t be happier, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Explosive Jack prevailed in an all Kiwi-bred finish to Saturday’s Derby, edging out Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) in a three-way photo. Victory went to Explosive Jack by a half-head from Young Werther, with Lion’s Roar another head away in third.

Bought for NZ$100,000 by Moody Racing from Novara Park’s draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Explosive Jack won on debut at Swan Hill in November.

He scored back-to-back victories in January and February, winning over 2400 metres at Kembla Grange before romping home by almost 4l in the Listed Tasmanian Derby. In two appearances in March, he finished third in the G2 Alister Clark S. and second in the St Leger Trial at Bendigo.

That consistent form line was overshadowed on Saturday by the likes of Group 1 winners Lion’s Roar, Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) and Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock), and Explosive Jack went to the Derby start as an overlooked 15-to-one outsider. But he rose to the occasion with a career-defining performance.

Ridden by John Allen, Explosive Jack dropped back to last in the early stages of the race as the leading group set a muddling pace.

The speed went on from the 1000 metre mark, and Allen brought Explosive Jack out into the clear at the top of the straight and sent him into overdrive.

With less than 200 metres to run, Explosive Jack, Young Werther and Lion’s Roar bounded to the front as one. They went to war over the closing strides of the historic Classic, with Explosive Jack digging deep and getting the better of his two gallant foes in a memorable finish.

“He’s a tough horse,” Allen said. “The distance was never going to be a worry with him. We got cover on the back of Young Werther. Montefilia actually popped out down the side and pushed me out a bit wide. I didn’t want to take off on him too early, so I let her come around me. Once we got to the outside, he really let down. He tries his guts out, this horse.

“I thought I won the photo finish, but I didn’t want to celebrate just in case I didn’t. With the horse in between us, it was hard to tell. I thought I had my head down on the line. It was close, but we got there.

“I’ve had great luck with these owners. They are a great bunch of blokes. They’ve always supported me 100 per cent, so it is good to pay them back again. Hopefully there will be more successes in the future.”

The Derby triumph continued a successful Sydney carnival for Maher and Eustace, who also won last Saturday’s G1 Tancred S. with their Cox Plate hero Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

“It’s phenomenal, really,” Maher said. “This horse has been in work a long time. He’s been to all of our stables, and the team have done an extraordinary job with him.

“His last piece of work on Saturday was the best piece he’s done since he’s had a saddle on his back. Johnny (Allen) was on board him at Werribee and he just said, ‘He’s flying.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s how it looks.’

“We thought he might lack that little bit of class, but we knew he was a very, very strong stayer and he was right to go, so full credit to him.

“With every run, he’s got better – every run – so who knows? He’s still improving now. Who knows where the ceiling is? Anyway, I’m sure the owners will enjoy today and probably tonight even better.”

New Zealand-breds to the fore

The first, second and third placegetters in the Derby were all bred in New Zealand and sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. Explosive Jack cost NZ$100,000, Young Werther was a NZ$140,000 purchase and Lion’s Roar had a price tag of NZ$65,000.

That trend has continued throughout the Group 1 3-year-old features of the Sydney autumn carnival, with Lion’s Roar winning the Randwick Guineas and Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) capturing the Rosehill Guineas.

Explosive Jack was bred by Luigi Muollo under the banner of Explosive Breeding Ltd.

Muollo stood Explosive Jack’s sire, the ill-fated Jakkalberry (Ire), at his Novara Park property in Cambridge. Explosive Jack is the first stakes winner for Jakkalberry, who has had a further four black-type placegetters among his 34 winners from 81 runners.

The dam of Explosive Jack is the Listed winner Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}), who is a half-sister to the dam of Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}), who won the G1 New Zealand Derby three years ago and finished fourth in the Australian Derby.

Placegetters gallant in defeat

Tom Marquand and Brenton Avdulla, the riders of placegetters Young Werther and Lion’s Roar respectively, were pleased with their mount’s performances.

“It was a huge performance by Young Werther,” Marquand said. “It was a shame that the winner came the other side of Lion’s Roar, because if he was right next door, he probably would have knuckled down and beaten him. It was a shame.”

Avdulla believes Lion’s Roar lost little in his narrow defeat. “He gave me a fantastic ride and tried hard,” he said.

Montefilia, who started as the $3.30 favourite, finished fourth and just over 2l behind the first three.

“She just travelled a bit strong,” jockey Jason Collett said. “She shot through, but was overpowered late.”