Coniston Bluebird upstaged the locals and continued the golden run of Magic Millions graduates in New Zealand when he won that country's richest race - the $2.2 million NZ Derby at Ellerslie today.

Despite being challenged by highly regarded local Down the Road for much of the straight, Coniston Bluebird wouldn't be denied and the Scenic gelding got home in a thriller.

Another Gold Coast graduate Tell a Tale ran third for New Zealand's premier trainer Mark Walker.

"The race went right to plan," said winning trainer and part owner Bede Murray.

"We planned to drop him back in the field which is what happened," he noted.

"Scott (Seamer) rode him very well. He made his move at the right time and I thought he had won."

Murray isn't the first Australian trainer to make a successful raid on the New Zealand Derby with fellow MM graduate Redoute's Dancer winning for Tim Martin two years ago.

Raced by the trainer's Murray Livestock outfit along with John O'Brien, John Wilson and John and Russell Stanford, Coniston Bluebird is turning out an incredible money spinner for his connections.

Purchased as a yearling by Murray for $85,000 from the draft of Durham Lodge Thoroughbred Stud at the 2007 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Coniston Bluebird has now earned an ever increasing $1,473,712.

The win was the twelfth at Group One level for Murray - his third Derby.

It was the second New Zealand Derby victory for Scott Seamer following his win in 2001 with Leica Guv.

Coniston Bluebird, by Australia's current leading sire Scenic, is one of two winners from three runners for the lightly raced Bellotto mare Turbo Lady.

The win continued a remarkable run for his sire Scenic who this season has captured Australia's shortest and (equal) longest Group One races with Scenic Blast in the Lightning Stakes and Viewed in the Melbourne Cup.