Back To Back Derbies For Weir, Allen

Johnny Allen, a former jumps jockey in his native Ireland had a day to remember when winning the 2016 G1 UBET South Australian Derby on Howard Be Thy Name (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and lightening struck twice for Allen and trainer Darren Weir as they combined to land the same race at Morphettville a year later with Volatile Mix (NZ) (Pentire {GB}). A relatively un-fancied 15/1 shot, Volatile Mix was waited with towards the rear but got a smooth run throughout, tracking the favourite Odeon (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) as the race developed. Odeon travelled stylishly to challenge Ruthven (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}) when they straightened up as Volatile Mix began to hit top gear. Ruthven was game in front under Mark Zahra as the favourite began to back peddle but he couldn't hold off the determined challenge of the winner who hit the wire half a length clear with another length and three quarters back to Odeon in third. It was a first test in Group 1 company for Volatile Mix and Allen was the first to admit the gelding's winning credentials weren't obvious but such is the form of the Darren Weir team that a big run was not a total surprise. “I was probably more confident going into the race last year, but I knew he'd been set for the race today,” Allen said. “It mightn't have looked quite as strong a race as last year, but he was too good on the day.” Allen has proved yet again that he is equally adept in a flat Group 1 or in a steeplechase and he added, “It's been unbelievable really. I suppose I arrived at Darren's at the right time and I'm happy to be along for the ride.” For Weir himself it was a 21^st Group 1 victory and he was quick to recognize Allen's tactics as the difference between winning and losing. “When the barrier draw came out [drawn 11], that made things a little tricky, but he got into a nice position and instead of going around them, Johnny decided to go through them and that was the winning move,” he said.

Volatile Mix got off the mark at the third attempt when winning a maiden at Geelong over 1900m last September. Following two defeats, he successfully dropped back to a mile under Saturday's jockey to win at Ballarat Mar. 26 and while disappointing in a listed race over nine furlongs at Morphettville Apr. 8 he was noted doing good work late on when finishing fourth in the G3 Chairman's S. over 2030m at Morphettville Apr. 29. He came forward again significantly on Saturday and looks like he should have little difficulty going further in trip which should open up some nice opportunities in 'Cup' races.

Pedigree notes…

Utopia (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was a dual winner in both Australia and New Zealand and added to her value when finishing second in the G3 Manawatu Classic. With Volatile Mix her first runner and first winner her breeding career has been launched in style. Her dam Joie De Vivre (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) was a five-time winner and an own sister to New Zealand highweight and dual Group 1 winner Bazelle (NZ).

UBET SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DERBY-G1, A$601,150 (US$448,258/£347,797/€410,042), SAJC, 5-13, 3yo Open Set Weight, 2500mT, 2:37.09, gd.

1-#@&VOLATILE MIX (NZ), 56.5, g, 3, by Pentire (GB)
1st Dam: Utopia (NZ), by High Chaparral (IRE)
2nd Dam : Joie de Vivre (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ)
3rd Dam: Show Games, by Showdown (GB)

O-G L Huddy & Mrs L F Huddy; B-L Huddy, Waikato, NZ; T-D K Weir; J-John Allan; A$385,150. Lifetime Record: 9-3-2-0, A$423,750. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: D+

2–Ruthven (Aus), 56.5, c, 3, Domesday (Aus)–Ruddigore (Aus), by Octagonal (NZ).
O-Rehame Racing (Mgr: W K Cox), C B McKenna, Mrs J M McKenna, P J Mole, P A Roach, Mrs B D Beiziters, C Jackson, S Shirtliff, J Webb, D Bowman & C L Maher; B-Mr P Roach VIC; T-C Maher; J-M Zahra; A$102,000.

3–Odeon (NZ), 56.5, g, 3, Zacinto (GB) –Theatre Buff, by Theatrical (IRE).
(NZ$77,500 Ylg '15 NWZJAN) O-H H Wee, M J Bracchi, Mrs E M Bracchi, J Kovacevic, Mrs O Kovacevic, D W Franklin, K W Franklin, S D Kempster, Mrs A Kempster, R Hafner, Mrs D Hafner, Leacra (Mgr: J M Rayner), R M; B-K J Hickman, Canterbury, NZ; T-M Ellerton & S Zahra; J-Damian Lane; A$48,000.

Margins: 0.5, 2.3, 5.5. Odds: 15/1, 3/1, 11/5.
Also Ran: Savvy Dreams (NZ), Anaheim (Aus), Netherfield (NZ), Grand Chancellor (NZ), Lycurgus (Aus), Wheal Leisure (Aus), Casta (Aus), Dornier (Aus), He Ekscels (NZ), Sedanzer (Aus), Gun Guru (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.