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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment

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
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $220,000
Seller: Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA (As Agent)
Buyer: Bussutin Racing/Andrew Campbell
2
0.5
Sigiriya Rock
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x Munees Gemini (IRE) (Australia (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 58.5
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $200,000
Seller: Yulong, Nagambie, Vic
Buyer: Rock The Runway
3
4
Colour Our World
- 3f Blue Point (IRE) x Colourful Moments (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M J Williams Rdr: D Yendall 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $180,000
Seller: Balius Farm, Darnum
Buyer: MJ Williams Training / Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA)
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
More Reading...
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Three Straight Stakes Wins For Cool Aza Beel’s Cool Archie
With no two-year-old currently performing better in Queensland, the Chirs and Corey Munce trained Cool Archie continued his outstanding form, taking out the $1m Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), his third consecutive black type victory.
Aussie So You Think Raider Kicks Of NZ Derby Tilt on Saturday
Expatriate Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping for a case of third time lucky with their staying three-year-old Thedoctoroflove.
Niance Overcomes Serious Injury to Claim Stakes Victory
Exciting New Zealand-bred mare Niance has bounced back from a serious injury and picked up right where she left off last spring, collecting her third consecutive black-type win in Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
60th SW So You Think – Thedoctoroflove wins G2 Avondale Guineas
Visiting Australian  raider Thedoctoroflove sounded an ominous warning to his Kiwi rivals heading towards the Group I Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with a stunning victory in Saturday’s Group II Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hat-Trick for Trelawney Stud Blueblood Filly
Well-related Trelawney Stud filly Madiyya signed off her three-year-old season with a third straight win, this time over 1600m in the A$150,000 Rod Griffiths Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
When in Doubt Back a Frankel!
The $200,000 Listed ATC Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m ) at Rosehill on Saturday attracted a competitive field of 14 stayers, the bulk of them imports and when you strike an open race like that it’s often wise to follow this piece of advice – when in doubt back a Frankel!