The 2016 New Zealand Derby was a horse race, which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 5 March 2016. It was the 141st running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Rangipo.[1]
In what was widely considered to be an unusually even Derby field,[2] Rangipo brought strong form into the race with wins in the Great Northern Guineas, Waikato Guineas and Avondale Guineas. Being a son of speedy Australian stallion Stryker, the main question mark hanging over his credentials was his stamina for the 2400-metre test.
But after sitting midfield behind a solid early pace, Rangipo moved into contention in the home straight and held on strongly to beat the fast-finishing What's The Story by a short head. The winner's stablemate Raghu was third, ahead of fillies Capella and Valley Girl who came with big late finishes from well back in the field.
It was the first New Zealand Derby win for trainer Tony Pike and a sixth for jockey Vinnie Colgan.
| Margin | Horse | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Odds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangipo | Vinnie Colgan | Tony Pike | $4.80 | ||
| 2 | Short head | What's The Story | Sam Spratt | Stephen McKee & Eddie Chippendale | $13.70 | |
| 3 | Head | Raghu | Michael Walker | Tony Pike | $10.40 | |
| 4 | Short neck | Capella | Leith Innes | Danica Guy | $9.50 | |
| 5 | Short head | Valley Girl | Danielle Johnson | Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs | $5.60 | |
| 6 | 1½ | Tavago | Noel Callow | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | $21.60 | |
| 7 | 1 | Predator | Jonathan Riddell | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | $36.20 | |
| 8 | ½ | Get That Jive | Opie Bosson | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | $6.80 | |
| 9 | Nose | The Hassler | Michael Coleman | Roger James | $16.20 | |
| 10 | ½ | Brighton | Lee Tiley | Nigel Tiley | $11.70 | |
| 11 | 3 | Humidor | Mark Du Plessis | Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard | $21.10 | |
| 12 | 1½ | Piece Of Kate | Shaun McKay | Gavin Sharrock | $128.40 | |
| 13 | Nose | Splendido | Grant Cooksley | Bruce Wallace | $39.50 | |
| 14 | 1½ | Thunder Down Under | Johnathan Parkes | Stephen Ralph | $62.80 | |
| 15 | 3½ | En Suite | Rosie Myers | Kevin Myers | $77.30 | |
| 16 | 10 | Prodigal Son | Trudy Thornton | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | $130.80 | |
| 17 | 4 | Gobstopper | Craig Grylls | Andrew Campbell | $82.00 | |
| 18 | 7 | Son Of Maher | Chris Johnson | Michael & Matthew Pitman | $31.60 |
Further details of the winner, Rangipo:
Early-season appearances in 2015-16 prior to running in the Derby.
Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2016 New Zealand Derby.