Tarzino's Derby favourite dominates at Ellerslie

Media Release - Sunday February 2

Willydoit tightened his grip on Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favouritism with a dominant victory against older opposition in Saturday’s TAB (1600m) at Ellerslie.

The $55,000 race was the third consecutive Ellerslie win for the Tarzino gelding, who cleared maiden ranks at the Auckland track on December 12 and then emphatically beat subsequent Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) runner-up Tuxedo on New Year’s Day.

Willydoit winning the TAB (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

But Saturday’s performance in Rating 75 company was Willydoit’s most impressive yet. He was sent out as a $1.40 favourite and barely provided a moment’s doubt.

Willydoit departed from his previous come-from-behind style, instead taking up a position among the top three or four and settling into a smooth rhythm along the rail.

A gap opened right in front of him when the front-runner Giacomo rolled away from the fence at the home turn, and Willydoit needed no second invitation. He produced a smart turn of foot and burst clear, romping home by two and a half lengths despite being eased down in the final 50m by rider Kevin Stott.

Bought for $75,000 by trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy from Karaka 2023, Willydoit has now had four starts for three wins, a placing and $93,665 in stakes. Emma Clotworthy shares ownership along with Bryan Black and the international syndicator MyRacehorse.

“That was a ‘wow’ performance,” Emma Clotworthy said. “We were a bit nervous about stepping up against the older horses today, but it was pretty nice to see him running away from them like that down the straight.”

The TAB reacted to Saturday’s performance by cutting Willydoit from $2.80 into $2 for the New Zealand Derby, which will be run for a stake of $1.25 million at Ellerslie on March 8.

The only other runner in single figures in that market is Hinekaha, who was trimmed from $8 into $5 after winning Saturday’s Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth.

Stott had his first ride on Willydoit on Saturday, keeping the saddle warm for the injured Masa Hashizume.

Advertisement

“I don’t know how good they have to be to win a Derby in New Zealand, but this horse gave me a serious feel today,” Stott said. “It was only a mile today and against older horses, but all I had to do was steer him around.

“He’s a big horse who can get a bit unbalanced around here, but as soon as he gets his balance back, he’s away and gone.

“He’s very uncomplicated. We thought we’d try to get him out of the stalls a bit better today and see if he can settle in a handier position. He settled beautifully and made my job easy.

“I think a mile and a half (2400m) will suit him a lot better. He has a massive stride.”

Shaun Clotworthy admits to some mixed feelings about Willydoit not being eligible for last Saturday’s Karaka Millions 3YO.

“It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t nominated for the Karaka Millions, especially after seeing Tuxedo go on to run second to Damask Rose in that race,” he said. “The prize-money would have been nice.

“But maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. It might have been a tough night and taken a bit out of him. This could work out to be a better step towards our main target.”

Victory in the Derby in March would carry additional significance for Clotworthy, whose father Kim won the classic in 1977 with Uncle Remus.

“Winning the Derby would certainly mean a lot to me, and to my father as well,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Visit the profile page for Tarzino

Tarzino in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Second G1 Derby Winner for Tarzino with Willydoit in NZ
Memories of a confidence-denting defeat in last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) were blown away on Saturday as Willydoit powered to a dominant victory in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Willydoit Chasing Classic Success for My Racehorse
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are enjoying the best of both worlds with their highly regarded three-year-old Willydoit.