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)

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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Starspangled Colt Wins G2 Coventry – Half Brother to Vandeek
The first two year-old race at Royal Ascot this year was the Group II Coventry Stakes (6f) with the Aidan O’Brien trained Starspangledbanner colt Gstaad sent out favoruite and duly cruising clear for an impressive win.
So You Think 2YO SW Sold to Hong Kong
A month after his barnstorming stakes victory at Ellerslie, smart juvenile Do You Just has been sold and will continue his racing career in Hong Kong.
Proisir Maintaining Momentum
Star Rich Hill Stud resident sire Proisir continued his impressive rise from humbler beginnings with further black-type success from a weekend haul of five winners across Australasia.
First Win for $1.4million Blueblood Colt
Narrowly beaten by his stablemate Autumn Boy when making his debut 10 days ago as a hot favourite, $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Central Coast got the right result at the second time of asking when leading home a Waller trained first four at Canterbury on Wednesday.
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.
Royal Ascot Day 1 -G1 Stars – Expected and Very Unexpected
It was a roller coaster ride at Royal Ascot on Day 1with an Aussie owned and ridden victory, a glorious grey, a high profile mare that refused to load and a G1 winner with no pedigree!
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 17
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Willy Win the Derby?
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will break new ground in their training careers at Randwick on Saturday, with their first Australian runner coming in the form of the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) second-favourite Willydoit.
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.
Aussies Cheer - Docklands Wins G1 Queen Anne for OTI Racing
Australian racing fans didn’t have to wait long at Royal Ascot to find something to cheer about with the first race of this year’s carnival, the Group I Queen Anne stakes (1m) won by the OTI Racing runner Docklands ridden by Mark Zahra.