Last year Wexford Stables celebrated their first win in the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock), but this year they are ruing what could have been.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott looked to have a strong hand in the race courtesy of Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) and Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie), but both are now out of Derby calculations through injury.
Karman Line showed her potential when running third in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie last month but has subsequently suffered a bruised foot.
“She was good that night (Karaka Million) and gave us a bit of hope that she is up to the better ones, and it was good to see her back running how we believe she could,” Scott said.
“But she has stood on something and she has got a decent bruised heel. It’s taking a bit longer than we would have hoped (to come right).
“We had ideas of getting her to the Derby but that doesn’t look the case now. She would have had to have run this weekend for that to happen.”
While they have put a line through the Derby, the Matamata trainers are still hoping to target some elite-level races with the filly in the autumn.
“We are hoping to run her on Derby Day in the three-year-old 1400m Listed race (Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes) and then look to get her down to the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m).
“That is our next goal, but her foot has got to come right first and it is not coming right in a hurry.”
Dark Destroyer is another stable runner that has been ruled out of the Derby.
The winner of the Gr.3 Boncrusher Stakes (1400m) and Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) was examined on Tuesday and his trainers hope he is also in-line for a tilt at Group One spoils next month.
“He was sore the morning of the Waikato Guineas (Gr.2, 2000m),” Scott said. “He has come sound, which is terrific, but he underwent a scintigraphy today. We haven’t had the results back yet, but we will find out a bit later this evening.
“The Derby is out with not being able to run this weekend. He possibly could be on the same track as Karman Line, but we will talk with Diana and David (Archer), his owners, first.”
While it is disappointing to have the Derby hopes quashed for two of their runners, the Matamata horsemen are looking at the silver-lining of the situation.
“This time last year nothing went wrong with Rocket Spade and this year we are not quite so lucky,” Scott said.
“But that is horse racing and you have got to have broad shoulders like in any sport. When things aren’t going quite right with your team you have got to reset and go again.
“Those injuries are not career-ending, they just need time, and they are going to be beautiful four and five-year-olds. We are going to give them time, and as much time as they need to come right and we will get longevity for sure.
“While we might be missing out on a bit now, they have still got long careers.”
While the New Zealand Derby ambitions are over for Dark Destroyer and Karman Line, there are another stable pair who are hoping to secure their ticket for next month’s Classic when they line-up at Tauranga on Wednesday.
Ozark (NZ) (Tarzino) and Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) will contest the Emac Electrical 2100 and Scott is confident of coming away with a winning result.
“They run for their spot in the Derby,” Scott said. “Ozark will have the hood on for the first time and we think Asterix has a lot of ability, but we have taken him along pretty quietly.
“We are really hoping either one of them can win and it will give them a berth (into the Derby).”
