Hauraki Seeks More Glory in Australian Derby

Time/Date - 15.50hrs local time/Saturday, April 4, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f

Hauraki aims for a quickfire big-race double in the Group One BMW Australian Derby over a mile and a half at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 4.

The three-year-old colt, representing John O'Shea, produced a storming run to post a very convincing victory in the Group Two Tulloch Stakes over 10 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

He ran on strongly to take second in the Group Two Cellarbrations Phar Lap Stakes over an extended seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 14, having trailed home last of 12 in the seven-furlong Group Three C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington on February 21.

The son of Reset started his campaign with a pair of victories over seven furlongs, comfortably taking a Randwick handicap on November 8 and readily winning a maiden at Kembla Grange on October 25.

James McDonald, who rode Hauraki to victory in the Tulloch Stakes, is in the saddle again.

John O'Shea said: "Hauraki produced a dominant performance last Saturday and, with that in mind, he goes into the Derby with his tail in the air.

"He will need to settle a bit better to be effective over the 2,400 metres but he is right at the top of his form and James McDonald will ride him conservatively from gate nine.

"Hopefully, his capacity to stay combined with his turn of foot will stand him in good stead in this race.

"He does have to improve again going into Group One grade but we have always thought very highly of him and I couldn't be happier with him going into this race."

Hauraki lines up against nine rivals including Volstok'n'barrell and Preferment, who were first and second in the Group One Rosehill Guineas, Group One New Zealand Derby hero Mongolian Khan and Tulloch Stakes runner-up Omeros.