Derby favourite ruled out through injury

Breednet - Tuesday February 6
Injury has ruled Demonetization out of the Gr1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) with the leading colt unlikely to run again this season.

Demonetization"I galloped him with Brighton before Brighton won at the Counties meeting and I wasn't 100 per cent happy how he pulled up," trainer Nigel Tiley said.

"I got him checked out and they couldn't find anything wrong so I galloped him again last week and Derek Nolan, who rides him every day, said there was something wrong.

"We sent the horse down to Matamata and scintigraphy tests showed a hot spot in his fetlock. We had him x-rayed yesterday, you have to wait two or three days to do that, and it showed a stress fracture.

"He'll have box rest for two or three weeks and then a couple of months off to let everything settle down.

"That's racing and it happens, but we've still got the horse and we'll look forward to his four-year-old season."

Demonetization has won three of his four starts, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, the news around his unbeaten stablemate Melt is all positive.

"She's been back in work for two weeks and she'll probably have a quiet trial at Avondale on February 27 and then on to the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes," Tiley said.

Melt won the Listed Ashford Lodge 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on debut before she beat Saturday's Gr.3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (1200m) winner Bit Lippy in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 21
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Two State Double for Hello Youmzain
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold filly Fast ‘n’ Inzaine rang up a double for her sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) when breaking the ice at Sandown on Wednesday and she has a half-sister to be offered next Monday.
Century Club – Who Has Hit 100?
With so much attention on yearling sales at present, Magic Millions last week and Karaka starting on Sunday, the sire lists have been allowed to quietly tick along unwatched and three stallions have joined the century club and now share the top spot.
Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026
One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.
Smart Hello Youmzain 3YO Salutes – Brother for K1
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold Prince Charge cast off maiden status at Randwick on Wednesday bringing a timely update for his full brother to be offered next Monday.
Facts and Figures: $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO
A highly competitive, trans-Tasman field of 14 plus two emergencies has been confirmed for the 19th edition of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie this weekend.
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
Change of Luck For Baker As So You Think Gelding Shows Potential
Off the back of a few days that trainer Bjorn Baker would like to forget after the his two runners were withdrawn from the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic, So You Think gelding Castagnola impressed on the Randwick Kensington track, breaking his maiden at just his second start.
Favourites Fare Well in Karaka Millions 2YO Barrier Draw
The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Wednesday morning’s barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players.
Facts and Figures: $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO
Group One performance is a recurring theme in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), which will be run for the ninth time at Ellerslie this Saturday.