60th SW So You Think – Thedoctoroflove wins G2 Avondale Guineas

Media Release - Saturday February 22

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.

Australian raider Thedoctoroflove bursts into New Zealand Derby contention with victory in the Avondale Guineas.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Prepared by expat Kiwis Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the gelded son of champion galloper So You Think only arrived in New Zealand last Friday but showed no effects of that travel as he capitalised on a magical ride by Daniel Moor to close off powerfully in the final 150m and claim a narrow but comprehensive victory.

Moor used plenty of initiative to send his mount forward in the early stages and after 500m had secured a perfect position one out from the rail and just a few lengths off a muddling pace set up by Bourbon Proof.

In contrast the $1.50 favourite Willydoit, who was shooting for his fourth consecutive victory, was back near last in a strung out field and a conservative fifteen lengths from the leaders.

After being allowed to dictate proceedings Bourbon Proof had a good kick in the home straight and with 200m to run seemed to have most of his rivals covered. Not so Thedoctoroflove, who was winding up in the middle of the track. He joined and headed Bourbon Proof at the 100m before easing to a long neck victory over the gallant pacemaker, who shaded the fast-finishing Oceana Dream for second.

With both Busuttin and Young still at home in Australia and travelling stable representative Brendan Hawtin not on track due to illness, it was left to Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie to speak on behalf of the winner as he has had the horse staying at his Cambridge property.

Ritchie made light of that situation as he and training partner Colm Murray prepare New Zealand Derby second elect Tuxedo and had chosen to bypass Saturday’s contest with their charge.

“Geez we can improve them can’t we and I hope Trent is listening to this as he is going to have to find another box for him, because he’s not staying with us,” said Ritchie with tongue firmly in cheek.

“He was impressive today and these Aussie riders are good as he (Moor) got him into the one-one from looking like getting caught wide and he has attacked the line hard.

“They do know how to find the right horse, do Trent and Natalie. They had one that sat three wide a few years ago and ran second in the Derby.

“We gave him a little bit of work on Tuesday morning and it was lovely gallop. He is very laid-back. He is in superb order, his coat is great and he will improve from here, which is a warning for us all.”

Advertisement

Ritchie was referring to Rising Red, who finished in the runner-up position in the 2017 New Zealand Derby behind Gingernuts.

Moor was suitably impressed although thankful he got the win after his mount didn’t really handle going the right-handed way around for the first time.

“He showed me he could race closer, which is very handy, as he began so well but didn’t really go right-handed,” he said. “Around every bend he was all over the place. He took a bit of riding and will benefit from that experience.

“He is a pretty cool customer although he was a little on edge, but he raced forward and was impressive at the end.”

The victory of Thedoctoroflove and the relative failure of the pre-post New Zealand Derby favourites Willydoit (10th) and Hinekaha (11th) has seen the Fixed Odds market for the Group One feature on 8 March turned upside down, with Thedoctoroflove and Willydoit now both sitting at a $4 quote while Oceana Dream and Tuxedo are at $5 and Hinekaha $21.

Thedoctoroflive was a $220,000 MM Adelaide purchase from Mill Park.

Bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust, Thedoctoroflove was a $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Mill Park by Busuttin Racing/Andrew Campbell.

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 Goldrush Guru and Thedoctoroflove certainly fits the profile of success.

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.

Liberty Lover had a filly last spring by Pinatubo (IRE) following a yearling colt by Saxon Warrior (Jpn).

Thedoctoroflove is the 60th stakes-winner for So You Think, who has 33 entries for Ingis Easter and 15 for Inglis Premier starting next Sunday.

Advertisment

Race Result - Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas Gr2 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:16.67
1
Thedoctoroflove
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Liberty Lover (AUS) (Rebel Raider (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 57
So You Think
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $220,000
Seller: Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA (As Agent)
Buyer: Bussutin Racing/Andrew Campbell
2
0.2
Bourbon Proof
- 3c Justify (USA) x Show And Tell (NZ) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
Justify
NZB Karaka Book 1 $130,000
Seller: Phoenix Park
Buyer: Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock
3
0.5
Oceana Dream
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x Clevedon Bay (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: G Rooke 57
4
0.7
Hakkinen
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Miss Scandinavia (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: R Hutchings 57
5
0.9
Amazing Fluke
- 3g The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Stormy Victoria (FR) (Stormy River (FR))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Stott 57
6
1.9
Ridefromtheashes
- 3g Wrote (IRE) x Lady Phoenix (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: V A Colgan 57
7
2.1
Kiwi Skyhawk
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Pouter (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 57
8
3.1
Golden Century
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Breeze (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: R T Elliot 57
9
4.6
Mustang Morgan
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Assertiveobsession (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: W B Kennedy 57
10
4.6
Willydoit
- 3g Tarzino (NZ) x Willamette (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Hashizume 57
11
5.6
Hinekaha
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Hinerangi (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 55
12
9.8
Prochester
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Vanilla Chinchilla (NZ) (Reliable Man (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: L Sutherland 57
13
13.8
Interplanetary
- 3c Time Test (GB) x Sirani (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
14
15.6
Skippers Canyon
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Goldsumware (NZ) (Refuse To Bend (IRE))
Tnr: J V Wallace Rdr: John Allen 57
15
25.8
Suit Yourself
- 3c Savile Row (NZ) x O'carol (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: S C Spratt 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Super Seth has had three G1 winners in Australia this season and John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have trained two of them, so when they produce a lightly raced maiden winner by this exciting young sire we want to know more.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Pelzter added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Derby Dreaming for So You Think 3YO
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.
So You Think 3YO Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Good placement from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable for progressive three year-old So You Think gelding Aloysius, who cast off maiden status at Hawkesbury on Thursday in a race that featured a lucrative Inglis Xtra maiden bonus.
2026 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable, Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1927 entries for the 2026 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.