Akuta (NZ) Shows Pure Power in Epic Derby Win

A stunning display of speed and power saw Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) brilliantly win the $250,000 Group One New Zealand Derby (2600m) at Addington on Sunday. 

The NZB Standardbred graduate made it Derby victory number two, claiming his fifth Group One title when powering away from his rivals to score by a massive six and a half lengths for trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen.

Akuta was purchased by the All Stars Racing Stables for $170,000 from Broadfield Lodge at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

The pacer came into the New Zealand Derby finishing second to fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in a thrilling finish at Addington last week.

On Sunday, Akuta turned the tables on his rival who set up a scintillating race tempo.

“It was a great run and a great time,” Purdon said. “He backed up from last week a little bit better today.”

“He probably needed to because it was a real staying event, but he is just in super form.”

Akuta settled many lengths off the early speed and looked to have a huge job in front of him to loop the entire field to win.

Though not ideal, Purdon wasn’t panicking with such a fast early pace, meaning the leaders were going to come back to Akuta.

“The speed was on, so we were flat keeping up early,” Purdon said. “Once the three wide line got going, we were able to get around them.”

Akuta was lonely when he hit the line in a brilliant 3-05.6 winning time for 2600 metres.

The five-time Group One winner will now enjoy a short break before targeting races like the Group One Taylor Mile, the Group One New Zealand Messenger Championship and The Race.

“I will give him a bit of a break now, he has had a big campaign and he deserves it,” Purdon said.
“He won’t be out for too long, we will want to have him ready for the feature races in Auckland coming up.”

Akuta led home a first four filled with NZB Standardbred graduates.

Republican Party was brave in second after setting up the race’s hot tempo. The three-year-old was a $210,000 purchase by Cran Dalgety at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from breeder-vendors Price Bloodstock.

Sand Wave (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) was tenacious in third after having to work three-wide without cover from the 800 metre mark. The pacer was offered at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale by breeder-vendors Mike Atkins and Greg Adlam of Gama Breeding.

Cyrus (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) powered home late from well off the pace to run a meritorious fourth placing. Cyrus was purchased by Jean Feiss for $60,000 from Rosedale Farm’s draft at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

Vendor	Broadfield Lodge
Purchaser	All Stars Racing Stables
Breeding	Bettor’s Delight x Adore To Our Dreams
Sale	2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $170,000
Breeder	P I Renwick & Mrs P M Renwick