Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) 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.
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.
“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.
