Provocative
Kenton Wright Race Images
Despite going within a length of achieving his cherished Derby dream and a unique Group One winning double, Auckland businessman Mark Wyborn was all smiles after a stunning day at Eagle Farm on the weekend.
Wyborn shares in the ownership of Queensland Oaks winner Provocative with his friend Robin Peel-Walker, with the duo also combining to race Queensland Derby runner-up Rodrico who had to bow to eventual winner Eagle Way in a driving finish to the Group One feature.
"We went pretty close didn't we," he said ruefully on Sunday morning as he reflected on the results of the previous day.
"Rodrico tried his heart out and for a moment looked like he might come back at the winner but in the end we had to settle for second. It was a fabulous day though, just marvelous and such a thrill to win with Provocative.
"I'm so happy for Tony Pike and his team. To win a Group One like that is very special and they have done a marvelous job with her."
Wyborn makes no secret of his Derby ambition with his bloodstock portfolio specifically geared towards winning the cherished blue riband event.
"We buy four to five yearlings each year with the express purpose of getting them to a Derby if that is at all possible," he said.
"To win a Derby is my burning desire so we look for types that we believe will be suited to that aim.
"Paul Moroney bought Provocative for me at the 2014 Karaka sale; just a few lots after Guy Mulcaster had bought Rodrico for us. We generally don't buy fillies but she was such a beautiful rangy type as a yearling and being by Zabeel she looked a likely stayer in the making so we were very keen to secure her."
Although delighted to grab the prestigious Group One win with the Zabeel filly, Wyborn was disappointed the fickle Brisbane weather had halted their plan to tackle the Oaks/Derby double.
"We thought if she could get a run in the Oaks when it was originally scheduled she was a real chance to tackle the Derby a week later," he admitted.
"Of course that all depended on how she can through the Oaks but when they called the day off due to the weather that plan went up in smoke. We will never know how she might have gone but that win on Saturday was very dominant so you would like to think she would have been competitive against the boys."
Provocative will now head to the spelling paddock with Wyborn keen to see her progress next season before eventually heading to the breeding barn.
"She will have a nice break in the Queensland sun before we bring her back as a four-year-old," he said.
"Her value as a broodmare is assured with that win but it will be interesting to see how much further she can go as an older mare."– NZ Racing Desk
Wyborn shares in the ownership of Queensland Oaks winner Provocative with his friend Robin Peel-Walker, with the duo also combining to race Queensland Derby runner-up Rodrico who had to bow to eventual winner Eagle Way in a driving finish to the Group One feature.
"We went pretty close didn't we," he said ruefully on Sunday morning as he reflected on the results of the previous day.
"Rodrico tried his heart out and for a moment looked like he might come back at the winner but in the end we had to settle for second. It was a fabulous day though, just marvelous and such a thrill to win with Provocative.
"I'm so happy for Tony Pike and his team. To win a Group One like that is very special and they have done a marvelous job with her."
Wyborn makes no secret of his Derby ambition with his bloodstock portfolio specifically geared towards winning the cherished blue riband event.
"We buy four to five yearlings each year with the express purpose of getting them to a Derby if that is at all possible," he said.
"To win a Derby is my burning desire so we look for types that we believe will be suited to that aim.
"Paul Moroney bought Provocative for me at the 2014 Karaka sale; just a few lots after Guy Mulcaster had bought Rodrico for us. We generally don't buy fillies but she was such a beautiful rangy type as a yearling and being by Zabeel she looked a likely stayer in the making so we were very keen to secure her."
Although delighted to grab the prestigious Group One win with the Zabeel filly, Wyborn was disappointed the fickle Brisbane weather had halted their plan to tackle the Oaks/Derby double.
"We thought if she could get a run in the Oaks when it was originally scheduled she was a real chance to tackle the Derby a week later," he admitted.
"Of course that all depended on how she can through the Oaks but when they called the day off due to the weather that plan went up in smoke. We will never know how she might have gone but that win on Saturday was very dominant so you would like to think she would have been competitive against the boys."
Provocative will now head to the spelling paddock with Wyborn keen to see her progress next season before eventually heading to the breeding barn.
"She will have a nice break in the Queensland sun before we bring her back as a four-year-old," he said.
"Her value as a broodmare is assured with that win but it will be interesting to see how much further she can go as an older mare."– NZ Racing Desk
