2013 New Zealand Derby
The 2013 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 2 March 2013. It was the 138th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Habibi. With Silent Achiever having won the race 12 months earlier, it was the first time in the history of the race that fillies have won the Derby two years in a row. The runner-up, Fix, is also a filly, and it was just the second time fillies have finished first and second in the race in more than half a century.
The race is also notable for being the fifth Derby win for jockey Vinnie Colgan - an all-time record for the race.
Habibi's Derby win came in just her seventh career start, and as part of her first racing campaign. She made her debut on her home track, Ruakaka, on October 17, winning over 1200m. A series of increasingly impressive wins followed, including a Group 2 double against males at Ellerslie Racecourse over the Christmas/New Year period. It was then that connections opted to target the Derby.
Although she had tasted defeat for the first time at her previous start, when a fast-finishing third in the Avondale Guineas, Habibi was the hot favourite in the Derby. She began well, but settled in about midfield as a strong pace was set by front-runner Castlzeberg. Habibi made her run early in the home straight, and she and Fix passed Castlzeberg together and drew away to fight out the finish. Though Fix resisted strongly all the way to the line, Habibi was able to edge away to win by half a length.
Race details
Sponsor: TV3Prize money: NZ$750,000Track: GoodNumber of runners: 18Winner's time: 2:27.58Winner's details
Further details of the winner, Habibi:Foaled: 4 September 2009 in New ZealandSire: Ekraar; Dam: Danny Holiday Owner: G P, H J & P J Crofskey & P A McIntyreTrainer: Donna & Dean LoganBreeder: H J & P J CrofskeyStarts: 7Wins: 6Seconds: 0Thirds: 1Earnings: $602,575The road to the Derby
Early-season appearances in 2012-13 prior to running in the Derby.Habibi – 1st Great Northern Guineas, 1st Championship Stakes, 3rd Avondale GuineasFix – 3rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 1st Eight Carat Classic, 1st Royal Stakes, 1st Sir Tristram Fillies' ClassicCastlzeberg – 1st Waikato Guineas, 2nd Avondale GuineasSaint Kitt - No stakes racesChoice Bro – 1st Karaka Mile, 4th Avondale GuineasKing Kamada – 3rd Championship Stakes PreludeAlert - No stakes racesZinko – 3rd Bonecrusher Stakes, 2nd Wellington Guineas, 8th Levin Classic, 2nd Waikato Guineas, 5th Avondale GuineasThe Grinner – No stakes racesSoriano – 4th Wellington Guineas, 6th New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 3rd Levin Classic, 1st Eulogy Stakes, 2nd Eight Carat Classic, 3rd Royal Stakes, 2nd Desert Gold Stakes, 2nd Sir Tristram Fillies' ClassicAddictive Habit – 7th Hawke's Bay Guineas, 7th Levin Classic, 2nd Great Northern Guineas, 2nd Championship Stakes, 6th Waikato Guineas, 9th Championship StakesWeissmuller – 1st Wellington Stakes, 9th Waikato Guineas, 7th Avondale GuineasKidwelly – 5th Great Northern Guineas, 2nd Royal Stakes, 5th Karaka Mile, 4th Sir Tristram Fillies' ClassicDeane Martin - 1st Championship Stakes Prelude, 6th Championship StakesCorporal Lincoln - 9th Karaka MileSolar Eclipse - 6th Championship Stakes Prelude, 3rd Championship Stakes, 8th Avondale GuineasDubai Shuffle - 7th Karaka MileCeltic Chief - 5th Waikato Guineas, 6th Avondale Guineas