The 2023 New Zealand Derby was a Group I horse race which was run on Saturday 4 March 2023. It was the 148th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Sharp 'N' Smart.[1]
The New Zealand Derby is traditionally staged at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, but was relocated to Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton due to extensive track redevelopment work.[2]
Sharp 'N' Smart became the first New Zealand Derby winner for New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson, who has won more races in New Zealand than any other trainer in the history of the sport.[3]
Sharp 'N' Smart was bred by Gerry Harvey and is a son of Westbury Stud stallion Redwood.[4]
Bought by Graeme Rogerson for $55,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka,[5] Sharp 'N' Smart is raced by Rogerson in partnership with a syndicate that includes Harvey, Merv Butterworth, Craig Leishman and Todd Bawden.[6]
Sharp 'N' Smart brought impressive credentials into the 2023 New Zealand Derby, for which he was rated a $1.40 favourite.[7]
He had been a Listed winner in New Zealand as a two-year-old, and finished fourth in the Group One J. J. Atkins in Brisbane, while his spring campaign featured a win in Sydney's Spring Champion Stakes and a runner-up finish in the Victoria Derby.[8] He warmed up for his New Zealand Derby assignment with a second placing in the Thorndon Mile and a victory against older horses at weight-for-age in the Herbie Dyke Stakes. [9]
The Derby brought more of the same, with Sharp 'N' Smart launching a powerful move out of midfield coming towards the home turn. Ridden by Ryan Elliott, the gelding kicked clear in the home straight before holding out the late-finishing Andalus to score by a long neck.[7]
| Margin | Horse | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Odds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharp 'N' Smart | Ryan Elliott | Team Rogerson | $1.40 | ||
| 2 | Long neck | Andalus | Kozzi Asano | Stephen Marsh | $102.30 | |
| 3 | ¾ | Full Of Sincerity | Wiremu Pinn | Andrew Forsman | $95.70 | |
| 4 | 1 | Mark Twain | Warren Kennedy | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | $15.10 | |
| 5 | Long neck | Waitak | Jason Laking | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | $10.30 | |
| 6 | Head | Savoir Faire | Joe Doyle | Mark Walker | $60.00 | |
| 7 | ½ | Dynastic | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker | $10.90 | |
| 8 | Nose | Desert Lightning | Vinnie Colgan | Peter & Dawn Williams | $12.00 | |
| 9 | 1 | Texas | Jake Bayliss | Nicholas Bishara | $55.30 | |
| 10 | 1½ | Warsaw | Cameron Lammas | Chris Gibbs | $60.30 | |
| 11 | ½ | Devildom | Craig Grylls | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | $50.60 | |
| 12 | Nose | Channel Surfer | Masa Hashizume | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | $140.90 | |
| 13 | 4 | Jaffira | Andrew Adkins | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | $87.80 | |
| 14 | 1½ | Opawa Jack | Sam Weatherley | Chrissy Bambry | $38.60 | |
| 15 | Nose | Rockburn | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary | $136.20 | |
| 16 | Nose | Dimaggio | Sam Spratt | Tony Pike | $89.60 | |
| 17 | 1 | Cruz Missile | Michael McNab | Stephen Marsh | $67.20 | |
| 18 | 17 | Savabourbon | Ashvin Goindasamy | Stephen Marsh | $147.60 |
Further details of the winner, Sharp 'N' Smart:[10]
Early-season appearances prior to running in the Derby.
Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2023 New Zealand Derby.