Blue-blooded Monopolistic stakes Queensland Derby claim

An impressive come-from-behind performance at Gosford on Saturday has the well-related Monopolistic (NZ) (Savabeel) on target for the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).

The New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel was bought for A$500,000 from the draft of breeders Windsor Park Stud at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is raced by a powerhouse syndicate made up of the likes of Newgate, the China Horse Club and Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock.

Saturday’s A$160,000 Elite Sand & Soil Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m) was Monopolistic’s third win from seven career starts and lifted his earnings to A$154,000, with the promise of much more to come.

The Chris Waller-trained Monopolistic began his career with wins in two of his first three starts in December and January, then resumed in the autumn with a fifth on the Kensington track, a sixth in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) and a sixth in the Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m).

He scored a highly impressive win on Saturday in the hands of jockey Andrew Atkins, producing a scintillating finish from second-last in the 16-horse field. He reeled in fellow New Zealand-bred King Pedro (NZ) (Eminent) down the Gosford straight and got up to win by a neck.

“He’s heading towards a Queensland Derby and just needs a bit of confidence,” Waller said. “He has the ability.”

The TAB now rates Monopolistic a $7 third favourite for the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on May 30.

Monopolistic is by New Zealand Hall of Fame stallion Savabeel out of the Fastnet Rock mare Bayrock, who is a full-sister to the multiple Group One winner and sire Merchant Navy.

Another of Bayrock’s full-siblings is Jolie Bay, who won at Group Two level, placed in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and has achieved even greater fame as the dam of Cambridge Stud’s five-time Group One winner Joliestar.

Bayrock is herself the dam of four winners including the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) winner Hindaam.

Bayrock foaled a filly by Paddington last spring and was subsequently served by Auguste Rodin.