Marketplace blitzes Derby field, smashes record

It was all about Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) at Alexandra Park tonight.

“That was amazing. He’s an absolute machine. He had to do it pretty tough tonight, had to earn it and it was a super run,” driver Craig Ferguson said after Marketplace blitzed a very good field in the $100,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby.

The three year old gelding superbly conditioned by trainer Regan Todd and handled by Craig Ferguson, took the lead from barrier one. He was taken on by Got The Chocolates, but his depth of stamina rang true and he took out the feature, winning by seven lengths.

MARKETPLACE REPLAY

The winning time of 3-14.7 smashed the previous record of 3-16.2 held by 2020 winner Amazing Dream. The time also beat the New Zealand record for colts and geldings of 3-16.8 held by Chase Auckland.

“I thought the best option was to stay in front and I had full confidence he was good enough. When we got to the last bend he changed gear and he knew it was game time. It’s amazing really because he still had plenty left in the tank. I popped the ear plugs. I probably didn’t need to, but I wanted to make sure he kept concentrating.”

It was part owners Glenys and Phil Kennard’s sixtieth Group One win, an amazing feat on any racing stage.

Their first was Fiery Falcon in the Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Series Final in 2007. He also gave them their first Northern Derby win in 2008. The Kennards also won the northern pacing feature with Lazarus in 2016 and Ultimate Sniper in 2019.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink