The 2014 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 1 March 2014. It was the 139th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Puccini. [1]
Puccini was the favourite for the race on the strength of impressive victories in the Great Northern Guineas, Waikato Guineas and Avondale Guineas. He showed a distinct fondness for front-running tactics in these victories, leading throughout and scoring emphatic victories. The same tactics were widely expected to be repeated in the Derby. But Puccini was slow out of the gates and was fourth last in the 18-horse field after the first 500m. He made a spectacular move halfway down the back stretch, sweeping to the lead. He kicked strongly at the turn and held on for an impressive and convincing two-length win over Rising Romance, with Glorious Lad another four lengths away in third.
Puccini's spectacular performance received a rapturous reception from the Ellerslie crowd, and prompted rider Michael Walker to declare that Puccini was the best horse he'd ever ridden. [2]
Rising Romance made up ground from near the back of the field to finish second. She is by the same sire and trained by the same stable as 2013 Derby winner Habibi. Glorious Lad took third.
| Margin | Horse | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puccini | Michael Walker | Peter & Jacob McKay | $3.20 | |
| 2 | 2 | Rising Romance | Michael Coleman | Donna & Dean Logan | $3.50 |
| 3 | 2½ | Glorious Lad | Mark Du Plessis | Shaune Ritchie | $14.20 |
| 4 | 3¼ | Kentucky Son | Trudy Thornton | Lee Somervell | $145.50 |
| 5 | Neck | We'regoingtogetcha | Kelly Myers | David Hayes | $9.50 |
| 6 | ½ | Fast Dragon | Johnathan Parkes | Bruce Wallace | $50.80 |
| 7 | Neck | Chipandchase | Noel Harris | Stephen Marsh | $56.00 |
| 8 | 3 | Maygrove | Chris Johnson | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | $25.60 |
| 9 | ½ | Blizzard | Opie Bosson | Jeff McVean & Emma-Lee Browne | $33.80 |
| 10 | ¾ | Thorn Pass | Danielle Johnson | Lisa Latta | $87.10 |
| 11 | ¼ | Lucky Feather | Craig Grylls | Toby Autridge & Cyril Goodwin | $52.60 |
| 12 | ½ | The Fire Inside | Mark Sweeney | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby | $50.80 |
| 13 | ¾ | Colonel Carrera | Rory Hutchings | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | $76.80 |
| 14 | ¼ | Spellbinder | Matthew Cameron | Jason Bridgman | $7.10 |
| 15 | ½ | Habitual Offender | Leith Innes | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby | $25.60 |
| 16 | Neck | King Savinsky | Hayden Tinsley | Jason Bridgman | $100.20 |
| 17 | 9 | Stand Your Ground | Vinnie Colgan | Donna & Dean Logan | $32.80 |
| 18 | 18 | Mr Frankey | Sam Spratt | Lisa Latta | $60.30 |
Further details of the winner, Puccini :
Early-season appearances in 2013–14 prior to running in the Derby.
Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2014 New Zealand Derby.
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