Kiwi 3YO Stakes Derby Claim

Media Release - Wednesday May 22

Talented three-year-old stayer First Innings has booked a place in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) after coming from last to land a 2180m three-year-old handicap at Ipswich on Wednesday.

The Andrew Forsman-trained son of Contributer went back to last under jockey Jim Byrne and crept into the race shortly before rounding the home turn, making his run widest on the tight-turning Queensland track to score a resounding two length victory over a competitive field.

First Innings winning at Pukekohe before relocating to Andrew Forsman’s Australian stable. Photo: Trish Dunell

Forsman was on course to oversee proceedings and was delighted to see the race run to suit his charge.

“We thought we were up against it from the barrier draw (14) but the pressure in that first 600m was pretty brutal and set it up for him. He is a genuine stayer,” Forsman said.

Advertisement

“If they run the Derby like that in a week and a half, we will be happy.

“He is a progressive horse who will be a nice stayer as he matures and gets older, but he really is thriving and coming into his own.”

Forsman was acutely aware of the record of jockey Jim Byrne at the unique circuit, where Byrne has won nine senior premierships at Ipswich as well as three apprenticeship titles and is known as the "King of Ipswich".

“I did my research and Jimmy had done his research too. He knew all about the horse and told me how it was all going to unfold and thankfully it worked out,” Forsman

“I think we will have to put Jimmy on in the Derby. He is a class jockey and he has ridden him a treat today.”

Wednesday’s victory in the A$75,000 contest is likely to provide First Innings with enough prizemoney to make the Derby field.

A maiden winner in New Zealand, First Innings was a well held tenth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) but freshened up well to catch the eye when third in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) behind stablemate Moonlight Magic.  

First Innings is raced by bloodstock agent Michael Hughes in conjunction with ex-pat Kiwis Cam and Chas Stewart, who are now based on the North Queensland coast at Noosa where they run a seafood business.

In conjunction with Goodwood Stud, the Stewarts bred First Innings, who is out of the Pins mare Dream Run, who finished fourth in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) for Paul and Kris Shailer.

While First Innings has now earned A$78,152 in prizemoney and is set to leap up the order of entry for the Queensland Derby, for which he is rated a $15 chance,  stablemate Moonlight Magic looks doubtful to gain a start in Saturday’s Gr.2 The Roses (2000m), where she is fourth emergency. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Winner for Extreme Choice – Rare Slice of History
This year’s $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) produced a genuinely amazing fairytale result for the connections of five year-old Extreme Choice gelding Knight’s Choice, but part of that fairytale is his sire Extreme Choice, who has carved out something seriously special as being only the second sire in history to produce the winner of a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.