The G1 UBET South Australian Derby at Morphettville on Saturday saw a breakthrough win at the top level for both horse and rider when Howard Be Thy Name (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) scored under Johnny Allen, better known as a jumps jockey. Irishman Allen came to Australia five years ago and is a stable rider for winning trainer Darren Weir in Victoria. With stable number one Brad Rawiller riding in Brisbane, Weir was happy to give Allen the chance on a horse he has ridden to victory before. The rider repaid the confidence shown in him driving home the 4/1 shot to get the better of the Godolphin runner Etymology (Aus) (New Approach {Ire}) close home by half a length with Cool Chap (Aus) (High Chaparral [Ire}) a further length and three quarters back in third in the 2500m contest. Johnny Allen was elated following his win and said, “I came from Ireland as a battling jumps jockey hoping to get a few rides and I've managed to win a Group 1 now – it's unbelievable. It's just great to get the opportunity. I'm very grateful to Darren and all the connections. Allen who rode 80 winners over jumps in Ireland added, “It was probably a big call to put me on in a Group 1, I'm sure there were plenty of other jockeys available. On a personal level, it's great knowing that I'm able to compete against the top flat riders in the world. Sometimes jumps jockeys have a bit of a stigma, but we're every bit as good as any of the flat ones.”
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DERBY-G1, A$501,000, Morphettville, 5-14, 3yo Open, 2500mT, 2:40.08, Gd.
1–&HOWARD BE THY NAME (Aus), 56.5, c, 3, by Redoute's Choice (Aus)
1st Dam: Bellini Rose (NZ) (GSW-Aus A$504,050), by Faltaat
2nd Dam : Raise the Play (NZ), by Defensive Play
3rd Dam: La Tache (NZ), by Danzatore (CAN)
O-Mahogany (Mgr: Ms L Aldridge) & Forest Lodge Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: J Rogers); B-Watson Bloodstock Ltd NSW; T-D K Weir; J-John
Allan; A$321,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-3-3, A$524,090. Werk Nick Rating: A++ Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Etymology (Aus), 56.5, c, 3, New Approach (IRE) –Weaver of Words (GB) , by Danehill.
O-Godolphin; B-Darley NSW; T-J A O'Shea; J-B Melham; A$85,000.
3–Cool Chap (Aus), 56.5, g, 3, High Chaparral (IRE) –Cherishing, by Johannesburg.
(A$150,000 Ylg 2014 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale). O-T Tsalis, S W Hurley, C D Gray, A S Hobbs, Mrs K L Hobbs, P Cross, M J Randall, C Bennett, M Kelly, S J Mackay & K Wilton; B-Katom NSW; T-Lee & Anthony Freedman; J-D Moor; A$40,000.
Margins: 0.5, 2.3, 4.2. Odds:4/1, 15/1, 6/1.
Also Ran: Ascot Red (Aus), Charlevoix (Aus), Mail it In (Aus), Manhattan Boss (Aus), Rong Door Reggie (Aus), First Impressions (NZ), Royal Rumble (Aus), Tarquin (Aus), Sacred Eye (Aus), Dropped (Aus), Bullish Stock (NZ), Tuff Bickie (Aus), Arcadia Dream (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday's victory was a fourth in succession for Howard Be Thy Name. This sequence began at the end of March when he won over a mile at Pakenham. Stepping up in distance and grade he took the Listed Marsh Port Adelaide Guineas over 1800m at Morphettville Apr. 16 before again displaying his upward progression and his liking for the course when winning the G3 Chairman's S. over 2020m Apr. 30. Darren Weir's 12th Group 1 win was one of seven victories on the day for the trainer and he commented from Caulfied, “It looked a messy race but Johnny held his composure and rode him terrific. It's a big thrill. Johnny deserves it, he's a great rider.” Godolphin's Etymology had to settle for another Classic second to go with his runner-up finish to Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the G1 Victoria Derby last October and has yet to add to his maiden win. The Weir team are hoping the winner's progression has not ended and are eyeing further Derby success with stable foreman Jarrod McLean saying, “He'll be straight on the plane and go to Brisbane and have a crack at the Derby up there.”
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