Xplosion Goes Bang

Well related Xplosion (3 f Showcasing - Xpress, by Don Eduardo) recorded a richly deserved victory in the $10,000 Spooners Dry Cleaning Maiden 1340 metres on 9 January at Wanganui.

The year younger sister to Wakefield Stakes' (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Xpression, who also finished second to Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), Xplosion was freshened after a spring campaign that included fifth in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200 metres) and resumed with a solid fourth in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 30 December at Kurow.

Travelling in an ideal position for jockey Craig Grylls, Xplosion sighted daylight on straightening and won under a hand ride after reaching the front at the 150m. 

Strongly supported, Xplosion paid $2.50 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB. On footing (Dead4) not conducive to quick times, she ran the 1340 metres in 1:21.7 and last 600m in 36.2.

“I thought that was a nice win,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “She's taken a little while to get there, but always shown ability. 

“She'd improved for the run at Kurow, and we had her in a Reefton, but struggled to get a suitable rider. So, we found this race for her on the way home. She looked competitive and thankfully it's worked out with a win. 

“Craig (Grylls) found the right spot and gave her a good ride. The girls in the South Island, Rachael Kramer and Lydia Truesdale have done a very good job with her and I'd like to thank Roydon Bergerson, where she stayed for a couple of days before the race. She's been doing a bit of travelling and it was a big team effort, so very rewarding.

“She's a lovely type of filly, has a good pedigree, and hopefully with some confidence from the win she might be able to go with it.”

Xplosion was purchased by David Ellis for $115,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Nala Park, and owned by Te Akau Xplosive Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“I'm very pleased for the owners because she hasn't had a lot of luck until today and they've had to be patient,” Ellis said.

“She raced pretty well during the spring from our base at Riccarton, ran a gutsy race in the Canterbury Belle Stakes, and I think that trip and time away will be the making of her.

“It was a brilliant stroke of judgement by Jamie (Richards) to bring her back north after racing at Kurow, and she found the right race to break through. I couldn't be happier for everyone involved.

Xplosion has a very good pedigree. Her sire, Showcasing (Oasis Dream), currently top of the NZ 2YO Sires List, became an instant success with his first crop when shuttling to New Zealand, while now remaining at Whitsbury Manor Stud, U.K., and her dam sire, AJC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Don Eduardo (Zabeel), is the highest priced yearling to ever sell at Karaka ($3.6 million). 

Xplosion was strapped by Milou Grylls (wife of the jockey).

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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