NZ Derby Contender for My Racehorse Owners

Media Release - Wednesday January 1

Progressive Tarzino 3YO Willydoit firmed up his Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favouritism when he made it back-to-back wins at Ellerslie in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600 on New Year’s Day, which is good news for Westbury Stud as they will offer his three-quarter sister-in-blood at Karaka Book 2.

Willydoit is on a path to the NZ Derby - Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

From his outside gate in the eight-horse field, Willydoit settled at the back of the pack for jockey Masa Hashizume before improving to sit three-back on the fence. Turning for home he was stuck behind a wall of horses, but Hashizume kept a cool head and waited for a gap to open.

When one presented, the country’s leading jockey was quick to take it and Willydoit was able to show the qualities that have earned him Derby favouritism when shooting away to a 2-3/4 length victory over Group Three winner Tuxedo.

Shaun Clotworthy, who trains the three-year-old son of Tarzino in partnership with his wife Emma, was duly impressed with his performance.

“It is a pretty big statement. It looks like he is a well above average horse,” he said.

With victory, Willydoit shortened into $3 favouritism for the Derby ahead of the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Checkmate at $10.

Clotworthy has no doubt his charge will see out the 2400m Derby distance on Champions Day at Ellerslie in March.

“He has got a nice turn of foot and he will get a Derby distance,” he said. “He is a pretty relaxed individual and he doesn’t take too much out of himself.

Advertisement

“We will just see how the horse pulls up, but that (Guineas path) looks the logical programme.”

Bred by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, Willydoit was offered through the farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Clotworthy for $75,000.

Westbury Stud will offer a three-quuarter sister-in-blood to Willydoit at Karaka Book 2 as Lot 841, a Tarzino filly from Singa Songa, who is a half-sister to the dam of Willydoit. 

Following his 1150m trial victory at Waipa in October, American-based syndicator My Racehorse joined the ownership group.

My Racehorse offers affordable ownership through micro shares, with their business model famously showcased by Gr.1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) winner Authentic, with My Racehorse’s 12.5 percent stake in the former US Horse of the Year shared among 5,000 people.

Wearing My Racehorse’s red and black silks, Willydoit has now won two of his three starts, after placing on debut, and earned more than $62,000 in prizemoney. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Horizon By Skycity 3yo 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.18
1
Willydoit
- 3g Tarzino (NZ) x Willamette (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Hashizume 57
NZB Karaka Book 1 $75,000
Seller: Westbury Stud
Buyer: Mr S Clotworthy
2
2.8
Tuxedo
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Ball Gown (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: Joe Doyle 58.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $70,000
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer: Mr GI Barnett
3
3
Class
- 3g Embellish (NZ) x Opulent (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: V A Colgan 57
4
3.4
Wind Rush
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Our Famous Eve (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 56
5
5.2
Hard Roca
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x Craggy Range (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 57
6
9.7
Elegant Jazz
- 3f Russian Revolution (AUS) x Made The News (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: S C Spratt 55
7
11.9
Retrostar
- 3g Vespa (NZ) x Celestial Nymph (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 58
8
14.3
Vermelho
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Keraton (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: T L Newman 57
More Reading...
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
Another Super Promising Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Spirit of Boom Colt wins 2YO Championship Final
Tony Pike-trained juveniles Boombox and Ashoka ran their second quinella of the month in the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Boombox getting the better of his stablemate on both occasions.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
No Fluke – How Good is Autumn Boy?
When Autumn Boy made a winning debut at 50-1 at Canterbury last month beating his high profile stablemate Central Coast, some may have wondered if there was an element of fluke about the win… there wasn’t.
Proisir filly Wins 3YO Winter Championship
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.