Military Move
Encyclopedia
Military Move is a New Zealand
thoroughbred
racehorse. On March 6, 2010, he won the 134th running of the New Zealand Derby
.
The gelding is trained by Shaune Ritchie, who was the strapper for the hugely successful and popular 1985 Derby winner Bonecrusher
. Bonecrusher was trained by Ritchie's father, Frank. Bonecrusher was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
less than 24 hours before Military Move's Derby win.
Never further back than fifth in his eight starts as a three-year-old, seven of which were at stakes level, Military Move was the best male three-year-old in the New Zealand 2009-2010 racing season.
He made his case for that title when dashing well clear of the field early in the home straight in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas
at Riccarton Park in November, ultimately holding all but the outstanding filly Katie Lee
at bay.
Despite producing a highly promising Derby trial when finishing strongly from well back to finish a close fifth in the Championship Stakes
, Military Move slipped under the radar and went out as a relative outsider at 15-1 in the Derby two weeks later. But aided by a magnificent ride by Michael Walker
, he again opened up a big break early in the home straight and determinedly held off all challengers to record an upset victory in New Zealand's richest race.
The New Zealand Derby was Military Move's last start in New Zealand before he embarked on a Hong Kong career.
in Hong Kong in December. Over a distance short of his best, Military Move dropped well back early in the running before storming home late to finish third. His second-up run resulted in a second placing over 1400m. He finished unplaced in his five subsequent starts, including a sixth placing in the Hong Kong Derby.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse. On March 6, 2010, he won the 134th running of the New Zealand Derby
New Zealand Derby
The New Zealand Derby is a set-weights Thoroughbred horserace for three-year-old, run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on the first Saturday in March, as the opening day of Auckland Cup Week. From 2009, it was run for a purse of $2.2...
.
The gelding is trained by Shaune Ritchie, who was the strapper for the hugely successful and popular 1985 Derby winner Bonecrusher
Bonecrusher (horse)
Bonecrusher Is a retired champion New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who was widely admired in both Australia and New Zealand. Bred by Bill Punch, his dam's sire was a son of a French champion, Tantieme. Bonecrusher was purchased by Peter Mitchell for just $3,250 at the Waikato Yearling Sales,...
. Bonecrusher was trained by Ritchie's father, Frank. Bonecrusher was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
The New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame is an organization created to recognise and honour those whose achievements have enriched the New Zealand Horse racing industry...
less than 24 hours before Military Move's Derby win.
Never further back than fifth in his eight starts as a three-year-old, seven of which were at stakes level, Military Move was the best male three-year-old in the New Zealand 2009-2010 racing season.
He made his case for that title when dashing well clear of the field early in the home straight in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas
New Zealand 2000 Guineas
The 2000 Guineas is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 1600 m at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, New Zealand...
at Riccarton Park in November, ultimately holding all but the outstanding filly Katie Lee
Katie Lee (horse)
Katie Lee is a New Zealand Thoroughbred racemare who in November 2009 became the first horse in history to win both the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the New Zealand 1000 Guineas....
at bay.
Despite producing a highly promising Derby trial when finishing strongly from well back to finish a close fifth in the Championship Stakes
Championship Stakes
The Championship Stakes, run at Ellerslie Racecourse, is a Group 2 three-year-old race run at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.When the New Zealand Derby was moved from December to March in the 2005-06 season, the race was set up to be run on the second Saturday in February as the...
, Military Move slipped under the radar and went out as a relative outsider at 15-1 in the Derby two weeks later. But aided by a magnificent ride by Michael Walker
Michael Walker (jockey)
Michael Walker is New Zealand jockey of Māori ancestry. He was born in Rotorua, New Zealand in the central districts of the North Island, although his family later moved to Waitara. At the age of 11 Walker approached noted thoroughbred trainer Allan Sharrock, asking for work with his horses....
, he again opened up a big break early in the home straight and determinedly held off all challengers to record an upset victory in New Zealand's richest race.
The New Zealand Derby was Military Move's last start in New Zealand before he embarked on a Hong Kong career.
Four-year-old career
Military Move began his four-year-old season in a 1400m Class 2 handicap at Sha TinSha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...
in Hong Kong in December. Over a distance short of his best, Military Move dropped well back early in the running before storming home late to finish third. His second-up run resulted in a second placing over 1400m. He finished unplaced in his five subsequent starts, including a sixth placing in the Hong Kong Derby.