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.
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.”
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.
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.
