Tavistock 3YO Ready for Derby

Media Release - Thursday April 8

Randwick trainer John Sargent is hoping he can win his home Derby for the first time on Saturday with Kiwi-bred gelding Favreau.

The son of Tavistock recorded two consecutive wins this preparation before running fourth in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday and Sargent was happy enough with his efforts off a sedate pace.

Favreau will contest the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au

“I thought he would just about win that but after Rosehill I was scratching my head a bit,” Sargent told RSN927.

“They didn’t go that hard, they were 19 lengths slower than the Vinery (Gr.1, 2000m), albeit they went hard in the Vinery.

“We maybe rode him a little out of his comfort zone. But he got a beautiful ride by James McDonald, there were no excuses.

“We got in the one-one, got buffeted a bit in the straight. He is a horse who likes to get out and going. He is going to get plenty of chance on Saturday because he has drawn 16 of 16, he is not going to be cluttered up there.”

Sargent is confident his charge will see out the distance and said the track will likely come back from its Heavy9 rating on Thursday.

“Getting out to 2400m, past that 2000m, is a different style of race,” he said.

Advertisement

“He is bred to get it and his work this morning was very good. I think he has tightened up a lot since Saturday.

“This track will come back. It is beautiful and hot, and the sun is out. It will come back to a 6 or 7 without a doubt. I will just leave it up to Tommy (Berry, jockey) what he will do in the race, but he obviously won’t be on the speed.”

Sargent is hoping history repeats itself on Saturday, with the Tulloch Stakes proving to be the form lead-in race to the Derby over the last few years.

“Let’s hope the tradition of the last five years, where the winner has come out of the Tulloch, continues,” he said.

“It will be down to the last 200m this race, the strongest stayer will survive.

“It will be interesting, but he is definitely right in there with a very good chance.”

Favreau was purchased out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $230,000 by Sargent, in partnership with Aquis Farm and DGR Thoroughbreds. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Group Victory For $3.5m Earner Front Page
Having raced at Flemington, Rosehill and Ascot at his last three starts, the Matthew Dale trained Front Page travelled to his fourth different state in as many starts, winning the $300,000 G2 BRC Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
First Stakes Success For Zoustar’s Zaszou
Becoming the second stakes winner of the meeting for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, the Philip Stokes trained Zaszou captured the $160,000 Listed BRC Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in a photo finish.
Group 1 Queensland Oaks For So You Think's You Wahng
With form around some of the best 3yo staying fillies in the country, the Kris Lees trained You Wahng was too strong, winning the $700,000 Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Capitalist Colt Records Back To Back Wins
Off the back of an explosive victory last time out at Hawkesbury when breaking his maiden by just shy of four lengths, Nathan Doyle’s Hidden Motive (Capitalist) justifiably jumped the short-priced favourite in the $160,000 Precise Air Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Wins Epsom Oaks for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Oaks (1m4f) had a raging hot favourite in undefeated Godolphin entry Desert Flower, but she came up short in her first try at the classic trip going down to finish third behind the Aidan O’Brien trained duo Minnie Hauk (Frankel and Whirl (Wootton Bassett).
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bold Maison Louis Resolute In Queensland Derby
The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers.
New Stakes-Winner for Snitzel – Stradbroke Possible
The Listed $160,000 BRC Spear Chief Quality (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday delivered a new stakes-winner for champion sire Snitzel with progressive four year-old gelding Transatlantic taking victory as a well backed favourite.
Lucrative Pay Day For Adiella In Magic Millions National Classic
Coming off a last start second in the Group 3 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Mile (1600m), the Improving 4yo The Mission mare Adiella recorded her sixth carer victory, adding the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic to her record.