Talented Kiwi to make Australian debut on Wednesday
Well-related filly Explosive Express (NZ) (Staphanos) will step out on raceday for the first time when contesting the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The two-year-old daughter of Staphanos impressed when winning an 800m trial in New Zealand at Ellerslie in April.
Previously prepared by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray in Cambridge, the filly was transferred across the Tasman to the stable of Chris Waller for Novara Park Stud principal Luigi Muollo, a long-time supporter of the stable.
Muollo bred Explosive Express, who is by Group One sire Staphanos out of the stakes winning mare Extra Explosive, making her a half-sister to three-time Derby winner and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) hero Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry).
Despite being bred to stay, Muollo believed Explosive Express could potentially be a candidate for the Gr.1 JJ Atkins (1600m), but time has likely scuppered that plan, with Explosive Express taking some time to settle.
“I'm obviously invested in Staphanos and Australia's the place you want them performing so my decision to move her to Australia was based around that,” Muollo told racenet.
“When you look at his (Staphanos) fillies' Group One winners and performers to runners, only The Autumn Sun has a better strike rate.
“I thought this filly is good and she could be a JJ Atkins horse, so it made sense to put her on the plane and send her to Chris.
After a couple of trials including a runner-up finish to Woodenbridge, Explosive Express is now ready to make her debut where she will be partnered by Nash Rawiller.
“She took quite a while to adjust in Australia, longer than we'd hoped but her two trials in Australia have been quite good,” Muollo said.
“Of the three trials, I think the best two were the two where she raced on the outside so it might just be a bit of a blessing that she's drawn out on Wednesday.
“Chris thinks she will develop into a 2000m horse so the 1100m could prove to be below her best, but you need to start somewhere and she's ready to go.
“She's still got a bit to learn but will be a smart horse in six to 12 months' time.”
With Warwick Farm rated a Heavy 8, Muollo takes comfort from the fact the filly’s mother won the Listed Castletown Stakes on a Heavy track.
“Extra Explosive won a Stakes race on a Heavy 10 track and Explosive Jack won on the heavy, so I'm not overly concerned by her debuting on a wet track,” he said.
