New Zealand
NZ Derby hero returning home
Last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hero Willydoit is returning home.
The son of Tarzino was a standout three-year-old last term for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, winning four of his six starts, including the New Zealand Derby.
MyRacehorse Australia bought 50 percent of the gelding mid-season, with the Clotworthys and Bryan Black retaining the remainder of the ownership.
He crossed the Tasman to run fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) before joining the stable of leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, for whom he has had five unplaced runs, and the decision was made to bring him back to New Zealand and return to his initial trainers after he finished last in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
"I was talking with Ben (Willis) from MyRacehorse Australia after his last run in the Blamey Stakes," Shaun Clotworthy said. "He just hasn't come up this time, which often four-year-olds don't come up after their three-year-old year.
"Ciaron has done a great job with him over there and he has really matured into a professional horse in their big operation.
"We decided to step back a little bit and bring him back to New Zealand and give him some lush grass and look after him for three or four months and then we will reassess after that."
Willydoit won the New Zealand Derby on Champions Day last year and Clotworthy is hoping he can continue his great run at the meeting on Saturday where his NZB Kiwi slot, Kerry Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing, will be represented in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) by the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained To Bravery Born.
The son of Snitzel will jump from barrier five with Rory Hutchings aboard and is currently an 81-1 shot with TAB bookmakers.
"He is a good horse, he has been to Ellerslie a couple of times and he is from the right stable," Clotworthy said.
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