Party Crasher has Queensland Derby in sight

Lining up for this fifth career start, the Waikato Stud-bred and -sold Party Crasher (ex Party Popper) delivered an impressive performance at Morphettville on Saturday, 18 May, claiming the 2250m event by 2.01 lengths.

By Ocean Park, the three-year-old was two weeks between runs, with trainer Michael Hickmott eyeing the A$1 million Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m), to be run at Eagle Farm on 31 May, for the rising stayer.

“A lot of credit to Josh my nephew who works with me, he was the one who pushed me to buy this horse out of New Zealand,” he said.

“He syndicated him to a great group of clients, we’ve got a good crew of people in him, we’re gonna have a lot of fun.

“I think the phone will be going off in a minute, Toddy will want to know when his tickets for Queensland are getting booked.”

Party Crasher is out of the Rock ‘N’ Pop mare Party Popper and was a $40,000 yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Book 1 by K Pertab and C Cole.

Ocean Park is the sire of nine stakes horses this season alone, they are highlighted by Powers Of Opal and Hurry Curry, who finished second and third, respectively, in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks during Melbourne Cup week. To date, he has produced 330 winners for 902 wins, 22 stakes winners and progeny earnings exceeding A$54 million.

“He always has a good horse – they’re good, tough racehorses. He’s getting into the latter part of his career now and he’s a very good, safe, proven horse,” said stud principal Mark Chittick.

A proven Group 1 producer in both New Zealand and Australia, five-time Group 1-winning Champion Ocean Park will stand for $15,000 plust GST for the 2025 season.