American Ideal colt dominates Queensland Derby

American Dealer (NZ) (American Ideal) delivered a powerful display to clinch his second Group One victory in the A$102,000 Queensland Derby (2680m) on Saturday 24 July.

The colt who is already a Group One winner in New Zealand became a Derby winner across the Tasman after driver Anthony Butt gave the Ray Green-trained pacer his winning shot with a heady drive at Albion Park.

American Dealer, who is out of Bettor’s Delight mare Maddison’s Delight (NZ), was a bargain purchase at NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

Lincoln Farms Bloodstock secured him for just $23,000 from Southland-based consignor White Stables.

Prominent North American owners Marc Hanover and Gordon Banks then purchased the three-year-old after he hit the racetrack.

Butt slotted American Dealer into a sweet spot in the one-one early in Saturday night’s feature.

The reinsman then quickly took control of the race, taking the colt to the lead to allow him to dominate his rivals.

Fellow NZB Standardbred graduate and race favourite Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) was quickly outside American Dealer to set up a thrilling battle in the race’s final lap.

American Dealer fought off the challenge of fellow New Zealand star, as well as runner-up Captain Crusader to notch his first Derby victory.

“That was some sort of win because he had to sprint three times,” Butt said.

“When Krug came meaning business I had a decision to make, but I had confidence in my horse and thought we’re here to race.

“Full credit to Ray (Green), all his horses have thrived here (in Queensland) and this guy has just got better and better and better,” he said.

Krug fought on courageously in the home straight to finish third, after three of the first four horses home in the Queensland Derby were sourced from NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale.

Krug was purchased by trainer Cran Dalgety for $155,000 from Smolenski Stables and fourth placegetter, Bettor Call Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) was secured for $50,000 by All Stars Racing Stables from Breckon Farms’ draft.

Both owners Gordon Banks and Marc Hanover, as well as the Southern Bred Southern Reared organisation enjoyed brilliant success at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Banks and Hanover claimed a further Group One title with kiwi-bred Amazing Dream (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

The millionaire mare beat out a star-studded lineup to win the Group One A$250,000 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship (2680m).

King Of Swing (NZ) (Rocknroll Hanover) put up a big effort to run third, just in front of fellow New Zealand-bred Copy That (NZ) (American Ideal).

Both American Dealer and Amazing Dream were offered for sale as yearlings through the Southern Bred Southern Reared drafts.

by NZB Standardbred