Former Kiwi galloper Inverell is on a Derby path after scoring on debut at Sale on Sunday.
Trained by Clayton Douglas for OTI Racing, the three-year-old son of Shocking was purchased out of Steven Cole’s Byerley Park barn after two trials, including a runner-up finish at Avondale over 1050m.
Douglas' partner Jamie Kah rode Inverell in his first Australian trial, when third at Cranbourne on August 9, and remained aboard for his 1.75-length win at Sale over 1429m as a well-supported $2.45 favourite.
"Both Clayton and Jamie were impressed, they've only had the horse eight or nine weeks and they've done a remarkably good job to take him from the trial in New Zealand through to yesterday," OTI Racing's managing director Terry Henderson told Racing.com.
"After he trialled at Cranbourne a few weeks ago Clayton said 'I think this horse is pretty good'. He then had another jumpout and he was fine so they did expect him to run well yesterday and he did."
A tilt at the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) now awaits the gelding, with that performance dictating if he is up to the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on October 30.
"On what we saw yesterday, he was still green and has a fair bit to learn," Henderson said.
"We took the blinkers off from the trial and put the nose roll on for the race which enabled him to race a little less aggressively.
"When he was under pressure like he was at the 500m mark and still finish off like that, it's a very good sign."
Bred by Haunui Bloodstock, in conjunction with Melbourne-based Dennis and Maureen Nicol, Inverell was initially offered at last year’s South Island Sale but failed to meet his $20,000 reserve.
Connections elected to take the promising stayer to the next stage of his development, before bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo secured the prospect for OTI Racing.
OTI Racing also have four-year-old sons of Shocking I’m Thunderstruck and Hezashocka racing under their banner, having purchased them privately from New Zealand. – NZ Racing Desk
