Tavistock Stayer Young Werther Comes of Age

Media Release - Thursday October 14

New Zealand-bred gelding Young Werther will be looking to score just his second career win on Saturday in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The son of Tavistock won on debut over 1500m at Geelong last September and has since posted six placings from nine starts, including the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).

Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) contender Young Werther. Photo: Reg Ryan (Racing Photos)

While pleased with his classic season, trainer Danny O’Brien said he has really come of age as a four-year-old, highlighted by his runner-up effort behind Incentivise in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) earlier this month.

“He was quite immature as a three-year-old, albeit we ran him in the VRC Derby and AJC Derby, he didn’t race a hell of a lot heading into those races,” O’Brien told SENTrack.

“We were hoping he would develop into a bit stronger model as a four-year-old and it appears he has.

“It’s a reasonably big step up from those Derby races into a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.

“We were happy with his performance in the Turnbull and he seems to have improved out of it.

“He worked strongly on Tuesday morning at Flemington on the course proper.

“He seems to have come up in good shape, but he still needs to take another step up on Saturday.”

With the Caulfield track rated a Soft6 on Thursday morning and rain forecast ahead of the weekend, O’Brien is hoping the track doesn’t come up Heavy.

Advertisement

“He ran well in the AJC Derby on a soft track,” he said. “The only concern would be whether it would be really wet, a Heavy9 or 10 would be unchartered territory for him, but anything dryer than that and I think he will be okay.”

TAB bookmakers have installed Young Werther as a $10 equal third favourite for the Caulfield Cup alongside compatriot The Chosen One, in a market headed by Turnbull winner Incentivise at $2.40.

Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000.

O’Brien is also looking forward to lining up stablemate and fellow Kiwi-bred Kapalua Sunset in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m).

The three-year-old daughter of Tavistock has had just the two career starts, placing on debut before winning over 1875m at Kyneton last month.

“She is a lightly-raced filly, she has been to the races twice and she has got natural improvement to come from what was an excellent win at Kyneton,” O’Brien said.

“She goes into a 2000m three-year-old fillies race, which is perfect for her at this stage of her career.

“Hopefully she can be in the finish there on Saturday.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Four Winners for Dennis
Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m).
Briasa Wins $1million G2 Premiere Stakes- Everest Next
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile will have a runner in the $20million The Everest and his explosive grey sprinter Briasa will be going into the race in top form following an exciting win at Randwick on Saturday in  the $1million Group I ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.