BMW AUSTRALIAN

DERBY (GROUP 1)

MURRAY Baker has again risen to the occasion, training his fourth Australian Derby winner in 10 years following wins with Mongolian Khan (2015), Dundeel (2013) and Nom Du Jeu (2008). Training in partnership with Andrew Foresman, their Iffraaj colt Jon Snow ran out a three-quarter-length winner of the $2.5 million Group 1 over 2,400 metres.

Settled just just off the pace by Damian Lane, Jon Snow had the run of the race, while the race favourite Gingernuts had his every move heavily marked back in the field. Leader Harper’s Choice, a colt by Street Cry, was brave in running, to hold onto second and the Redoute’s Choice colt Hardham got home well for third.

“It’s a great thrill to win a Derby on such a seasoned horse. I was very lucky to get on him last week and happy to stick with him today. He was too good,” said jockey Damian Lane, who won the Tulloch Stakes on Jon Snow seven days earlier. “What a great trainer Murray Baker has been for many years now and Andrew Forsman does a great job as well.”

Third in the New Zealand Derby in March, Jon Snow had won just once in 10 starts in his home country before his pair of wins in Sydney. A NZ$65,000 buy at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Select Yearling Sale, Jon Snow is out of the O’Reilly mare Orinda and completed a Group 1 double for Haunui Farm graduates with Melody Belle successful earlier in the day.

Present on the day was Andrew Forsman, with Baker back home in New Zealand. “Murray knows how to get them fit and ready,” said Foresman. “He had won so well (seven days earlier), he just bounced through the run and his work on Thursday morning was brilliant.”