Willy Win the Derby?

Media Release - Wednesday April 2

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.

The Byerley Park couple unveiled the talented son of Tarzino in November and he was immediately stamped as a Derby prospect, a promise fulfilled five starts later when he bolted away with the $1.25 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day.

Willydoit will contest Saturday's Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Willydoit caught the hearts of the New Zealand public while attracting plenty of overseas attention, with a 50 percent share in the gelding purchased by syndicator MyRacehorse in December. As a part of the deal, he was initially set to join Ciaron Maher’s stable after the New Zealand Derby, but in the best interests of the horse, he remained in the Clotworthys care before travelling to Sydney last Sunday. 

“He had a bit of a quiet time after the Derby, then we built him up again and he arrived in Australia on Sunday,” Shaun Clotworthy said.

“We elected to keep him at home up to the Derby, just to avoid changing climate quickly and you don’t know whether that’s going to work or not. It was a better way of building into this race.

“We are based here at Ciaron Maher’s facility in Bong Bong which is outstanding, he loves this sort of environment and he’ll end up here after the Derby.

“I’ve just watched him do a piece of work this morning (Wednesday) and I’m very happy with him, he looks good and has travelled over really well.”

Willydoit overcame a barrier of 14 at Ellerslie to triumph in the Derby and he has fared better across the Tasman, drawing 10 with two emergencies to his inside. He will continue his association with expat-Kiwi hoop Mick Dee, who will be vying for his first Australian Derby crown.

Advertisement

“We’ll leave it up to Mick, but we were quite happy with the draw as he should come into eight,” Clotworthy said.

In the final days as co-trainer of the special galloper, Clotworthy reflected fondly on the past couple of months, from the disappointment of a slowly-run Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) to the high of winning at elite-level for the first time.

“It’s been a great journey and pressure isn’t a bad thing, it’s there because he’s a good horse,” he said.

“It’s nice to train a good horse and especially to do so with Emma, and our son Harrison being involved as well.

“It’s been outstanding.”

On the New Zealand TAB market, Willydoit is rated a $4 second-elect in the A$2 million showpiece, splitting fellow Kiwi-breds Aeliana ($3.50) and Shanwah ($9). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Listed Chief De Beers Stakes To Manhood
Surprisingly contesting black type racing for the first time in his career, it was first time lucky for the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Manhood after the 6yo son of Headwater was strong to the line, leading throughout to win the Listed Chief De Beers Stakes (1110m).
Hellbent Filly Wins Listed Bill Carter
The $160,000 Listed BRC Bill Carter Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday had a short priced favourite in Hellbent filly Sunrays and she gave punters no cause for concern when powering clear for a dominant victory.
Brisbane Possible for Resurgent Velocious
Group One winner Velocious bounced back to her brilliant best in the Jarvis Trading (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, raising the possibility of a trans-Tasman mission.
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.
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.
Tarzino's Derby favourite dominates at Ellerslie
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.
Philia Highlights Oaks Claims With Tenacious The Roses Win
Successful last time out in the Listed Princess Stakes when becoming the 30th stakes winner for her sire All Too Hard, the David Vandyke trained Philia went four from four this time in, leading through to win the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben.
New Wootton Bassett G3 Winner
The Group III Gallinule Stakes (1m2f) for three year-olds at The Curragh overnight produced an epic battle to the line between three very competitive colts that ended in the steward’s room with victory given to Wootton Bassett colt Thrice.
Stakes Potential for Miss Ole
Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk added an 11th winner to his tally when the Clinton McDonald trained filly Miss Ole scored a stylish win in quick time at Sandown on Saturday.
Almanzor Keeps Winners Coming for Moody- Coleman
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone led his rivals a merry dance when winning the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday, bringing up a treble for the stable and jockey Luke Cartwright.