Derby Dreaming for So You Think 3YO

Tara Madgwick - Saturday January 11

A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Mill Park by Busuttin Racing/Andrew Campbell, So You Think three year-old Thedoctoroflove has been handled quietly to date, but the gloves are set to come off in 2025 with Derby dreaming on the horizon.

Thedoctoroflove is strong to the line - image  Reg Ryan - Racing Photos

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Thedoctoroflove was having his third start following two placings in shorter maiden races at Sale and Bendigo and appreciated the big stage at Flemington and a step out to 2000m.

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He was doing his best work on the line to score a half length win for Daniel Moor over the race favourite Sigirya Rock, a promising staying filly by Alabama Express.

"That was always the plan, to just go back and let him hit the line. We've come here quietly confident today that he could get the job done. It was a reasonably strong field today, so he put him away quite easily, I thought," said stable representative Trent Murphy.

"He's going to improve a lot from each run he has. He'll get over a nice trip and he's got a nice future in front of him."

"As far as I know, he'll find himself in a Derby somewhere, whether it be Sydney or Adelaide or New Zealand, I'm not sure."

Thedoctoroflove was a $220,000 Magic Millions purchase.

Leading South Australian nursery Mill Park Stud have a great record for producing classic three year-olds including the 2024 Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Goldrish Guru and Thedoctoroflove certainly fits the profile of success.

Bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust, he is the first foal of Liberty Lover, a metro winning half-sister by dual Derby winner Rebel Raider to Group II winner and $3.5million earner Dalasan and stakes-winner Party Princess, who is also by So You Think.

So You Think had solid results at Magic Millions this week with 15 yearlings selling at an average $158,667 and his top seller was a filly from Black Tulip that made $340,000 for Widden Stud when bought by Byerley Bloodstock.

Liberty Lover was covered by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) last spring.

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Race Result - National Jockeys Trust Trophy 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:02.22
1
Thedoctoroflove
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Liberty Lover (AUS) (Rebel Raider (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 56.5
2
0.5
Sigiriya Rock
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x Munees Gemini (IRE) (Australia (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 58.5
3
4
Colour Our World
- 3f Blue Point (IRE) x Colourful Moments (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M J Williams Rdr: D Yendall 56
4
4.5
Leg Drive
- 3g Grunt (NZ) x Shantha's Girl (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: S Foley 57.5
5
6.8
Beautiful Jewel
- 3f Highland Reel (IRE) x Point Piper (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ryan Houston 52
6
6.9
Kicking King
- 3g Highland Reel (IRE) x Tivoli Lass (AUS) (Uncle Mo (USA))
Tnr: Thomas Carberry Rdr: John Allen 58
7
7.9
Watersports
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Starwish (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: H Coffey 54
8
8.9
Verona Rupes
- 3g Cliff's Edge (AUS) x Katty Khan (AUS) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick & Michelle Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
9
10.7
Papal Army
- 3g U S Navy Flag (USA) x Entirely Saintly (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Ms J Kennedy 55
10
11.4
Makamae
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Alamea (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jamie Kah 55.5
11
13.2
Harsh
- 3f Brutal (NZ) x Misty Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Teodore Nugent 55.5
12
53.2
King Of Cordoba
- 3g Almanzor (FR) x Notice Received (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 57.5
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