Interstate raiders mounted a strong challenge in Friday’s Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby, and it was the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack who proved to be the superior stayer.
With Mystery Bad Guy running them along at a solid clip, Explosive Jack came with a sweeping run from second last. It was a one-act affair over the final 200 metres with Explosive Jack putting four and three-quarter lengths over the runner-up Alloway (Wandjina) with the local hope Swoop Dog (Husson) three-quarter of a length back in third after being given every chance.
Explosive Jack has won three of his four starts. Winning rider John Allen suggested the Tasmanian Derby would be the ideal race for the son of Jakkalberry (IRL) after his last start win over 2400m at Kembla Grange.
“He went to sleep early. We got a long way back, but luckily enough they rolled along at a solid tempo,” Allen said.
“We trucked into the race nicely around the corner, and once he met the hill he really took off. There was never any issue about him staying.
“I’ve had a bit to do with the owners and this horse as well. I mentioned to Ciaron a couple of weeks back that this would be a nice horse for the Tasmanian Derby. He agreed and luckily it turned out well.
Purchased by Moody Racing for $100,000 out of the Novara Park draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Explosive Jack becomes the first stakes-winner for Novara Park’s ill-fated stallion Jakkalberry (IRL).
The globe-trotting son of Storming Home (GB) covered four books of mares before dying of gut infection in 2018.
Initially trained in Italy by Endo Botti, Jakkalberry won the 2010 Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano.
He was transferred to Marco Botti the following year and travelled the world, making a start in six countries. He was third in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, won the American St Leger and was third again in the 2012 Melbourne Cup. Jakkalberry made one start in 2013 winning the Group II Dubai City of Gold Stakes at Meydan.
Extra Jack was the third most expensive of the 24 Jakkalberry yearlings sold at major sales.
A half-brother to Pick Number One (Darci Brahma), the Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2017-18, Explosive Jack makes it two stakes-winners from as many to race out of Extra Explosive.
A daughter of Darci Brahma, Extra Explosive won the Listed Castletown Stakes. She is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Explosive Dance, the dam of the Group 1 NZ Derby winner Vin de Dance.
A colt by Time Test out of Extra Explosive was purchased for $65,000 by Benner Racing at the recently completed Karaka Yearling Sale.
Extra Explosive was covered by Staphanos (JPN) in 2019.
