Listed Schweppes, Tasmanian Derby, $150,000, 2200m
Race summary
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s decision to send Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) to Tasmania proved a masterstroke and the lightly-tried colt bolted home for the third win of his four-start career.
The colt settled in the last trip before rider John Allen urged him around runners 800 metres from home and he produced a sustained finish to win going away.
Fellow Melbourne visitor Alloway (Wandjina) had taken control on straightening, but had no answer to the winner’s effort and held second from the favourite Snoop Dog (Husson {Arg}), who had every chance.
Pedigree notes
Explosive Jack was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Novara Park and was sold for NZ$100,000 with Moody Racing signing the ticket.
He is out of the Listed Castletown S. winner Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}), who also ran fourth in the G1 Australian Derby.
Explosive Jack is the first stakes winner sired by Jakkalberry (Ire), winner of the G1 Gran Premio de Milano and third in the G1 Melbourne Cup, who stood at Novara Park until his untimely passing in 2018 due to a gut infection.
