Mongolian Khan Takes the G1 New Zealand Derby

Winner of the Listed Pies 3YO Salver at this track Dec. 14, Mongolian Khan was runner-up in a Cambridge handicap Jan. 13, but bounced back to land the G2 Waikato Guineas 18 days later. He proved a very game winner of the G2 Avondale Guineas Feb. 14 in his most recent start, besting Prima (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}) and Volkstok’n’barrell by an ultimately comfortable margin and was the only one in the market to hold a candle to that third-place finisher in this prestigious event.

Driven along from his wide gate, Mongolian Khan worked his way all the way up into the top four and managed to gain a spot one out and one back, a couple of lengths off the pace, as Volkstok’n’barrell was poised from sixth just in his wake. Opie Bosson gave Mongolian Khan a bit of rein and the duo slid up to contend for the lead nearing the stretch, but the chalk was shadowing that move and was able to outfoot his chief rival into the lane. Volkstok’n’barrell got maybe as much as a half-length in front in the final 300 meters, but Mongolian Khan proved resolute down on the inside and won the sprint to the line. 

“It feels good and you saw two very good horses and they pulled away from the rest, it was a great race,” said winning trainer Murray Baker to nztm.co.nz. “My bloke is a terrific stayer and the further he goes the better. He can be a little bit volatile, but he relaxes in his races. He’ll be going to Randwick for the [G1] ATC Derby. He’s right up there with the Derby winners I’ve had in Australia.”

Saturday, Ellerslie, New Zealand
TV3 NEW ZEALAND DERBY-G1, NZ$750,000 (US$567,562), ELL, 2-28, 3yo, 12fT, 2:28.40, dead. 
1–sMONGOLIAN KHAN (AUS), 125, c, 3, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) 
     1st Dam: Centafit (NZ), by Centaine (Aus) 
     2nd Dam: Galopede (NZ), by Three Legs (GB) 
     3rd Dam: Regal Step (NZ), by Imperial March 
(A$9,000 wnlg ‘12 INGGSW; NZ$140,000 yrl 
NZBSEL; NZ$$220,000 2yo ‘13 NZBRTR). O-Inner 
Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd; B-Grenville 
Stud; T-Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman; J-Opie 
Bosson; NZ$450,000. Lifetime Record: 7-6-0-0, 
NZ$625,500. *1/2 to Young Centaur (Aus) (Jeune 
{GB}), G1SW-NZ. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ), 125, g, 3, Tavistock (NZ)– 
Volkster (NZ), by Volksraad (GB). (NZ$50,000 yrl ‘13 
NZBSYS). O-G J Cossey, Mrs A Gibbs, C W Gibbs, J 
A Gibbs Mnzm, A M Goodwin, IDL Racing Ltd, Mrs D 
M Logan & Rosemont Stud Pty Ltd; B-IDL Breeding 
Ltd; T-Donna & Dean Logan; NZ$130,000. 
3–Sound Proposition (NZ), 125, g, 3, Savabeel (Aus)– 
Ebony Babe (NZ), by Ebony Grosve (NZ). O-C & J 
Tobin, T & S Tobin, R & I Trayling; B-Mrs S E & T G 
Tobin & R Trayling; T-Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew 
Scott. NZ$65,000. 
Margins: 1, 5HF, NK. Odds: 3.00, 1.30, 20.50. 
Also Ran: Dee I Cee (NZ), Midnitemagicman (NZ), Sealed By a Dance (NZ), Margin Trader (NZ), Vavasour (NZ), Chenille (NZ), Prima (NZ), Nymph Monte (NZ), Giant Turtle (NZ), Gifted Lad (NZ), Mcqueen (NZ), Gaultier (NZ), J’Walke (NZ), Twya (NZ). 
Click for the Racing Post result, or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.