Mongolian Khan Wins AUS Derby for Rare Double
Description:
Chinese-owned Mongolian Khan prevailed in a titanic three-way battle down the stretch and won the Aus$2 million BMW Australian Derby (Aus-I) by three-quarters of a length April 6 on a drenched Royal Randwick course.
The race was one of four group I races carded on The Championships Day 1 card, which was rescheduled from April 4 because of heavy rains in Sydney.
Edging runner-up Hauraki, with Volkstok'n'barrell a creditable close third, Mongolian Khan became the first horse to sweep the Australian Derby/New Zealand Derby (NZ-I) double in nearly three decades since Bonecrusher won both races in 1986.
Mongolian Khan captured five straight races, including the New Zealand Derby over Volkstok'n'barrell Feb. 28, before finishing fifth behind that rival in the Rosehill Guineas (Aus-I) March 21. With Opie Bosson aboard Monday for trainer Murray Baker, the Holy Roman Emperor colt showed his will to win in between his two rivals to prevail in a thrilling finish.
Time for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) was 2:37.10 on turf rated soft.
Hampton Court made a determined effort to lead all the way, with Brogue, Volkstok'n'barrell, and Mongolian Khan well on the pace. As they swept around the home turn, the field spread across the track and riders desperately sought the best going on the soaking-wet course. Hauraki and Volkstok'n'barrell took charge 200 meters out but Mongolian Khan drove for the opening between them before proving best.
Australian Derby favorite Preferment, winner of the AAMI Victoria Derby (Aus-I), finished eighth.
Mongolian Khan, who has seven wins from nine starts, is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Ltd. whose principal is Lang Lin. The winner was bought as a 2-year-old at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sale, bringing NZ$220,000 (U$183,348) from China Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group.
Bred in Australia by Grenville Stud, Mongolian Khan is out of the Centaine mare Centafit. He is a half brother to New Zealand group I winner Young Centaur.