The Kiwis were on top in the 2022 Queensland Derby results at Eagle Farm with an inspired ride by Leith Innes from an outside draw seeing the Roger James & Robert Wellwood-trained visitor Pinarello hold off a brave Paternal to salute in Brisbane.

Trainer Chris Waller prepared the second and third place-getters in the 2022 Queensland Derby results behind the winner Pinarello after running first and second last year with Kukeracha and Senor Toba (pictured in Sydney). Photo: Steve Hart.

With five weeks between runs, the New Zealand-trained son of Tavistock looked vulnerable in the final 100m of the Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m), but held on to secure an elite level win down under for his Cambridge based trainers.

Fifth in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) across the ditch back in March, Pinarello went straight into the Queensland Derby off a Group 2 victory at home over 2100m on April 23.

He got ideal conditions with Eagle Farm racing as a Good (4) and was given a peach of a ride by Innes who crossed from barrier 17 to settle mid-field the early stages.

With 600m to go, Pinarello moved forward three-wide edging closer as the front-running Menazzi led the Derby field around the home turn.

Once on the straight, Pinarello took over and raced away getting out to a good lead before the Chris Waller-trained Paternal, last seen running a close second in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2143m), began to make ground chasing him home.

In the end, Pinarello was too strong and held off Paternal who shortened the winning margin to just over a nose on the line.

 “He ran a brilliant race. He was there presented to win but all credit to the winner, he was just too strong for us,” beaten hoop Hugh Bowman said of Paternal. 

Third in the Queensland Derby trifecta went to the fellow Waller-trained Caboche, who just held off the beaten favourite, New Zealand-trained Rough Habit Plate winner Dark Destroyer, who had to settle for fourth after making up late ground.

“He’s run super,” Dark Destoryer’s jockey Sam Weatherley said after the loss.

“I’m so proud of the horse. He’s come a long way in one preparation. He’s run really well, we just got a bit of a shuffle up coming towards the corner but he hit the line really well.”

It was a marvellous training performance from the Kiwis and in the end, the best horse with the best run won.

“It was an inspired ride,” co-trainer Roger James told Thoroughbred Central post-win, quick to credit the performance by Innes.

“I felt he could win it with the right ride, and he got the right ride.”

Despite fitness queries, James said the break between runs was ideal for Pinarello who avoided the Heavy track skipping a lead-up in the Rough Habit.

“Not at all, I thought it was of benefit to be honest,” Roger said.

“On Rough Habit morning, I thought we were going to run on an inevitably bad track. He has been a weak, frail horse this whole preparation.

“He’d been seven weeks prior to his last win and that was quite spectacular that day. I thought ‘we can find a better way to the Derby’.”

The Queensland Derby result was extra special for Roger after he admitted the race wasn’t originally on the agenda.

“I can’t claim to that. He was actually going to go home and spell. Fortunately it was Karaka sales week and we couldn’t get a float. After a week at home I thought, ‘holy hell this horse has come through it well’ and I decided to keep him in and here is the result,” he said. 

“I’ve run second and third in this Derby previously. I’ve been placed in Sydney Derbies as well, I’ve won five in New Zealand. To win one in Australia is pretty special.”

2022 Queensland Derby Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.