One To Watch - Warwick Farm

Mark Smith - Wednesday December 1

Few things went right for Derry Grove at his racetrack debut over 1000m at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, but the son of Star Turn overcame all obstacles to win in the manner of a horse with a future.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller for trainer Matthew Dunn, Derry Grove began awkwardly and was well-back early.

Advertisement

Eased to the centre of the track, Derry Grove came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the favourite Boomsong (Your Song) by a half-neck with Miss Glenn (Written Tycoon) a short-neck back in third.

Dunn said he thought the race had been run at the start as the plan was to lead.

&ldq

uo;It was a good win because it did not go to plan. The idea was to be in front, but that did not work out when he jumped a bit crooked,” Dunn said.

“It was an impressive win, and he is a horse with a big future.

“We bought him as a yearling, and it took a long time for him to mature. He had a few slight problems early and we just had to wait and let him find his spot.

“They are a good bunch of owners who have been patient and now he will pay them back.”

Derry Grove was a $31,000 pinhook by Jorson Farm from the Three Bridges draft at the 2019 National Weanling Sale but bought a $1,000 less when knocked down to Viva Racing/Matthew Dunn/Neil Jenkinson at the 2020 magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Derry Grove as a weanling

“He wasn’t expensive. Neil (Jenkinson) has been with us a long time now and he is a big help to me in more ways than just finding nice yearlings,” Dunn said.

“It good to see these guys get a result today.

“In his trials he has been on speed or in front, so it was good to seem him adapt as well as he did.

“You are full of confidence when Nash rides them and he got the job done for us today.”

Derry Grove is the third winner from five to race out of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare True Malt.

The winner of a Toowoomba maiden, True Malt is a daughter of talented racemare Strawberry Malt whose six wins include the Listed QTC Golden Garter Hcp and Listed Bright Shadow Hcp.

Simple Bloodstock Services paid $130,000 for an All Too Hard colt out of True Malt when offered by Bucklee Farm at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

True Malt has a yearling colt by Palentino and was covered by Magnus last spring.

Vinery Stud’s Star Turn sired his second winner on the day when the Stuart Kendrick-trained Avolonte led at every call over 1100m on a rain-soaked poly track at the Sunshine Coast.

Star Turn

Advertisment

Race Result - XXXX Mdn Hcp 1000m

Warwick Farm Track: Heavy(8) Time: 0:57.91
1
Derry Grove
- 3g Star Turn (AUS) x True Malt (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: N Rawiller 58
2
0.2
Boomsong
- 3g Your Song (AUS) x Mabkhara (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 58
3
0.4
Miss Glenn
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Heatherly (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Tim Clark 56
4
0.6
Sir Crackle
- 3g Choisir (AUS) x Crystal River (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J R Collett 58
5
0.9
As You Were
- 3c Per Incanto (USA) x A Chance To Dream (AUS) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Bryce Heys Rdr: A B Collett 57.5
6
3.0
Kipsbay
- 3g Capitalist (AUS) x Harlem River (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57.5
7
3.7
Hollow Dollar
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x Turn On Sixpence (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Rachel King 56
8
4.8
Tapis Magique
- 3f Shalaa (IRE) x Marvellous That (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Tom Sherry 54
9
5.3
Double Coco
- 3g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Coco Miss (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58
More Reading...
600k Fantasy World Heads Third Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
FANTASY WORLD was one of three lots to realise 500,000 guineas or more on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale which saw significant increases to the median, average and turnover from the equivalent session in 2024.
Breeding To Win - 2025 $10m Golden Eagle
Racing fans and punters love a good debate, but if there's one thing they tend to unite on, it's the view that the retirement of talented young horses from the racetrack to the stud happens far too early for their liking!
2025 Victoria Derby Pedigree Preview - Who is Bred to Stay?
The Group I VRC Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday is worth a whopping $2 million and the testing trip of 2500m means a lot of horses are not going to see it out strongly and this looks a competitive year with no G1 winners engaged and a full field of up and comers set to do battle, so let’s see what the pedigrees have to say.
Aussie Bred Sprinter to Run in G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint This Weekend
Australian spring racing might appear to be the centre of the universe in our neck of the woods, but in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend it is all about the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California and an Aussie bred sprinter could be poised to spring an upset.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
Karaka Millions and NZB Kiwi Opportunities in Ready to Run Sale
More than ever before, horses bought from the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka will be eligible to compete for significant prize-money within 18 months of their purchase.
Promising Winner for Peltzer
Michael Freedman trained his first winner for Champion Thoroughbreds on Thursday at Wyong and promising Peltzer gelding Sir Loyne won in a manner to suggest there is much more to come.
Dream Comes True for Kiwi Owner Breeders
Heather and Peter Crofskey are pinching themselves as they prepare to hop on a flight to Melbourne to watch their pride and joy Leica Lucy contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
$10 million 2025 Golden Eagle Field and Barrier Draw
The favourites have all fared well after the field and barrier draw was declared for the $10million Golden Eagle at Randwick this Saturday.