Chris Waller
Chris Waller had already trained a winner of this race: Kukeracha (2021). With this win, the stable leads the trainers' table on 7 Group 1 wins. Next in the table: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (5) and James Cummings (4).
Australia
Eagle Farm · 27.05.23
Watch the raceQueensland Derby
2ndFame3yo by Manhattan Rain × Spirit BirdA$ 180,000
3rdStroke Of Luck3yo by Fastnet Rock × Defy The OddsA$ 90,000
Full result →
PurseA$ 1,000,000
To the winnerA$ 600,000
Distance2400 metres
Winning time2m 29.63s
SurfaceTurf · Good(4)
Conditions3-year-olds
Runners18
Stories of this Result
James McDonald
James McDonald had come close here before: Caboche was third in 2022. With this win, the jockey moved to 5 Group 1 wins this season, one win behind leader Irad Ortiz Jr in the jockeys' table.
Watch the race
Punt Hub · English commentaryResult
18 runners · prize money to 10th placePosHorseJockey · TrainerMarginPrize
4thPromises Kept3yo gelding by Cluster × More Than PromisedMark ZahraCiaron Maher & D Eustace6.89A$ 45,000
6thCut On A Dime3yo gelding by So You Think × MartilagoDamien ThorntonB Heys7.24A$ 12,000
7thAberfeldie Boy3yo gelding by So You Think × Absolute JoyCraig NewittR Griffiths & M de Kock7.31A$ 12,000
9thArby3yo gelding by Proisir × ReivekeS R WeatherleyDarryn & Briar Weatherley11.07A$ 12,000
12thThe Vowels3yo gelding by Better Than Ready × MareezaJames OrmanT & T Edmonds12.89
13thThe Englishman3yo gelding by Tavistock × ZerantiChad SchofieldPeter Snowden13.16
14thWaitak3yo gelding by Proisir × Repo BayJake BaylissL O'Sullivan & A Scott13.95
15thAmalgamation3yo gelding by Dundeel × BlendwellS T CollettM J Wilson14.04
16thSubarctic3yo gelding by So You Think × Mount OmeiL CassidyMatthew A Smith15.61
Pedigree of the winner
As of race day 27.05.23Kovalica
Ocean ParkSire
VitesseDamby Makfi
DamVitesse
Kovalica is the second foal and first runner out of Vitesse (Makfi), a winner in New Zealand who was also placed in city company. Her half-brother is The Bostonian (Jimmy Choux), a sprinter who won three Group 1 races, and she is also a half-sister to Cheval D'Or (Almanzor), winner of the Gr.3 Championship Stakes.
Second damKeepa Cheval
Second dam Keepa Cheval (Keeper) has a half-brother in the sprinter Mufhasa (Pentire), an 11-time Group 1 winner in Australia and New Zealand.
Third damSheila Cheval
Third dam Sheila Cheval (Mi Preferido).
Next generation
Vitesse has a filly by Super Seth born in 2021 and was covered again by Ocean Park in 2022.
Connections
Kovalica in 2023
2 placesTrainer / Jockey / Track
Epsom Handicap1600 metres · A$ 1,462,5002ndChris WallerJoao Moreira30.09.2023RandwickPrize money €175,801Race detailsWatch
Doomben Cup2000 metres · A$ 1,000,0003rdChris WallerJames Orman20.05.2023DoombenPrize money €55,516Race detailsWatch
All winners since 2021
History since 1926
Queensland Derby92Editions since 1926
0Multiple winners
Record holders
Most wins since 19261SpearfeltSire · 1934, 1937, 1939, 19414 wins
2The BuzzardSire · 1935, 1936, 1948, 19504 wins
3SeremondDamsire · 1935, 1937, 19483 wins
All 92 winners since 1926
| Year | Winner | Trainer / Jockey | Owner / Breeder | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kovalica Ocean Park | Chris Waller James McDonald | N Morgan & D H T Devine Nearco Stud Limited, Canterbury | 2.00 |
| 2022 | Pinarello Tavistock | Roger James & Robert Wellwood Leith Innes | B J Lindsay MNZM, Mrs J E A Lindsay et al B J Lindsay MNZM & Mrs J E A Lindsay | 7.00 |
| 2021 | Kukeracha Night of Thunder | Chris Waller James McDonald | N Morgan Dr C R Phillips, Waikato, NZ | 11.00 |
| 2019 | Mr Quickie Shamus Award | Phillip Stokes John Allen | Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins Racing et al. Rosemont Stud | 3.00 |
| 2018 | Dark Dream All American | Kerry Parker Timothy Clark | Miss M Basson and Miss J M Wilson Miss J E Healey | 4.00 |
| 2017 | Ruthven Domesday | Ciaron Maher Hugh Bowman | Rehame Racing, C B McKenna et al Mr P Roach | 3.50 |
| 2016 | Eagle Way More Than Ready | Bryan Guy Tommy Berry | J G Moore Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd | 7.00 |
| 2015 | Magicool Fastnet Rock | Mark Kavanagh James Winks | Rokk Ebony, J M Voitin Et Al Hutchins Thoroughbreds | 13.00 |
| 2014 | Sonntag Teofilo | Henry Dwyer Chad Schofield | S A Anderson, M J Welsh Et Al Darley | 13.00 |
| 2013 | Hawkspur Purrealist | Chris Waller Jim Cassidy | D Puglisi, A Muollo Et Al D Puglisi | 4.00 |
| 2012 | Brambles Savabeel | Peter G Moody Brad Rawiller | P G Moody, OTI Uthemeyer Higgins Syndicate et al Mrs C L Crawshaw | 3.00 |
| 2011 | Shootoff Duelled | Graeme Rogerson Michael Rodd | P Stramandinoli, Ms T Williams & Ms T Hing Domello Partnership No.1 Syndicate | 3.50 |
| 2010 | Dariana Redoute's Choice | Bart Cummings Michael Rodd | Bell View Park Stud Syndicate, Dato Tan Chin Nam & Fairway Thoroughbreds | 5.00 |
| 2009 | Court Ruler Viking Ruler | John Wheeler Larry Cassidy | J R Wheeler, S J Pellegrino & B G Taylor G J Hill | 9.00 |
| 2008 | Riva San Any Given Sunday | Peter G Moody Jim Byrne | S T Dick, S C Withington et al S Dick, S Withington, M Westcott, B Westcott, J Marrocco & A & H Corrigan | 5.50 |
| 2007 | Empires Choice Redoute's Choice | Bart Cummings Damien Oliver | J B Cummings, Whakanui Stud et al Whakanui Stud Ltd | 5.50 |
| 2006 | Ice Chariot Semipalatinsk | Ron Maund Glenn Lynch | K E & Mrs T O'Brien Mr R E Maund | 6.00 |
| 2005 | Lachlan River Desert King | John Morrisey Glen Boss | Gundaroo Stud Syndicate G J Chittick | 6.00 |
| 2004 | Toulouse Lautrec Danewin | John Hawkes Corey Brown | Hobartville Stud Pty Ltd Syndicate Hobartville Stud | 5.00 |
| 2003 | Half Hennessy Hennessy | Bede Murray Scott Seamer | J Thomson, W Treuer Et Al Dr J D Woolridge | 5.50 |
| 2002 | County Tyrone Danewin | Max Lees Corey Brown | J Carroll & C Rose Emirates Park (Vic) Pty Ltd | 11.00 |
| 2001 | De Gaulle Lane The Commander | Colin Alderson Brett Prebble | William St Syndicate | 9.00 |
| 2000 | Freemason Grand Lodge | John Hawkes Larry Cassidy | Woodlands Stud Woodlands Stud | 5.00 |
| 1999 | Camarena Danehill | John Morrisey Glen Boss | Gundaroo Stud | 3.50 |
| 1998 | Dodge Canny Lad | John Hawkes Larry Cassidy | Woodlands Stud Syndicate | 4.75 |
| 1997 | Yippyio Interstellar | Jack Denham Jim Cassidy | Mr & Mrs G B White | 2.62 |
| 1996 | Valance Mighty Avalanche | — — | — | 3.25 |
| 1995 | Turridu Cenchire | — — | — | 3.00 |
| 1994 | Tenor Star Watch | John Hawkes — | — | 11.00 |
| 1993 | Air Seattle Air de France | Clarry Conners — | — | 3.25 |
| 1992 | Royal Magic Lord Ballina | D. Osullivan — | — | 11.00 |
| 1991 | Dorset Downs Val Dansant | T j smith — | — | 3.25 |
| 1990 | Rough Habit Roughcast | J R Wheeler — | Joe Battiston, David Smith, Caryl (Snow) Rackley Isabell Roddick | 5.00 |
| 1989 | Hidden Rhythm Musical Phantasy | — — | — | 2.50 |
| 1988 | Bravery Zephyr Zip | — — | — | 3.25 |
| 1987 | Princess Gracious Black Zephyr | — — | — | 21.00 |
| 1986 | Handy Proverb Twig Moss | — — | — | 1.40 |
| 1985 | Tristina Sir Tristram | — — | — | 7.50 |
| 1984 | Librici Imperial Seal | — — | — | 2.75 |
| 1983 | Strawberry Road Whiskey Road | — — | — J. Pantos & G. Georgopoulos | 1.44 |
| 1982 | Our Planet Planet Kingdom | — — | — | 2.25 |
| 1981 | Mr. Cromwell Zamazaan | — — | — | 9.00 |
| 1980 | Kingston Town Bletchingly | T.j. Smith — | David Hains & G Monsborough David Hains | 1.05 |
| 1979 | Double Century Century | — — | — | 1.00 |
| 1978 | Lefroy Decies | — — | — | 1.50 |
| 1977 | Florissa Azemann | — — | — | 10.00 |
| 1976 | Cheyne Walk Le Cordonnier | — — | — | 2.38 |
| 1975 | Bottled Sunshine Oncidium | — — | — | 4.00 |
| 1974 | Count Rapier Raimondo | — — | — | 9.00 |
| 1973 | Analie Sovereign Edition | — — | — | 2.00 |
| 1971 | Amby's Love Lysander | — — | — | 3.00 |
| 1970 | Silver Sharpe Showdown | — — | — | 1.67 |
| 1969 | Intrepid Clipper Smokey Eyes | — — | — | 13.00 |
| 1968 | Tails Dalray | — — | — | 3.75 |
| 1967 | Minto Crag Piping Rock | — — | — | 9.00 |
| 1966 | Dark Briar Pipe Of Peace | — — | — | 3.50 |
| 1965 | Bahram Star Agricola | — — | — | 1.33 |
| 1964 | Royal Sovereign Chatsworth 2nd | — — | — | 1.80 |
| 1963 | Confidence Preciptic | — — | — | 3.00 |
| 1962 | Honest Man Ottoman | — — | — | 17.00 |
| 1961 | Raajpoot Count Rendered | — — | — | 1.73 |
| 1960 | Persian Lyric Persian Book | — — | — | 1.33 |
| 1959 | Travel Boy Marco Polo | — — | — | 1.33 |
| 1958 | Earlwood Boxwood | — — | — | 1.80 |
| 1957 | Tulloch Khorassan | T. J. Smith — | E.A. Haley Trelawney Stud | 1.06 |
| 1956 | Book Link Persian Book | — — | — | 1.17 |
| 1955 | Regal Dignity Calabar | — — | — | 2.00 |
| 1954 | The Wash Dogger Bank | — — | — | 17.00 |
| 1953 | Castillo Valognes | — — | — | 5.00 |
| 1952 | Headstockman Concise | — — | — | 21.00 |
| 1951 | Forest Beau Delville Wood | — — | — | 1.80 |
| 1950 | Basha Felika The Buzzard | — — | — | 3.50 |
| 1949 | Pocket Money Le Grand Duc | — — | — | |
| 1948 | Blue Slipper The Buzzard | — — | — | |
| 1947 | Sefiona Seven Fifty | — — | — | |
| 1946 | Te Tana Mr. Standfast | — — | — | |
| 1941 | Lord Spear Spearfelt | — — | — | |
| 1940 | Fearless Fox Foxbridge | — — | — | |
| 1939 | Spearace Spearfelt | — — | — | |
| 1938 | Hendra Lad Bonnement | — — | — | |
| 1937 | Spear Chief Spearfelt | — — | — | |
| 1936 | Six Fifty The Buzzard | — — | — | |
| 1935 | Auto Buz The Buzzard | — — | — | |
| 1934 | Glen's Spear Spearfelt | — — | — | |
| 1933 | Waikare Limond | — — | — | |
| 1932 | Braeburn Silvius | — — | — | |
| 1931 | Lough Neagh Bachelor's Persse | — — | — | |
| 1930 | Monash Valley Valais | — — | — | |
| 1929 | Bernfield Highfield | — — | — | |
| 1928 | Paddi Eve Paddington | — — | — | |
| 1927 | High Syce Highfield | — — | — | |
| 1926 | Kitty Paddington Paddington | — — | — |
Source: G1Stars meeting database – winners, connections, times and starting prices as recorded. Group 1 grading began in 1971.
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