Kiwis salute with upset winner Tavago in Australian Derby

April 2, 2016

Kiwis salute with upset winner Tavago in Australian Derby

Kiwi three year old Tavago produced a major boilover when he scored a runaway win in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) on the first day off ‘The Championships’ at Randwick today.

Kiwi three year old Tavago wins the Australian Derby at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Kiwi three year old Tavago wins the Australian Derby at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Tavago was sent out as one of the outsiders of the field at $31 but won like an odds on pop, streaking away at the end of the 2400m to record a three and a quarter lengths victory over the Victorian filly Jameka ($8).

James McDonald’s mount Tally ($8) ran into third spot a further one and a quarter lengths back with the odds on favourite Tarzino ($1.65) failing to run on in the straight, winding up in fourth position.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Tavago was coming off a last start sixth in the Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 BMW NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 5 after missing the start and racing back in the field.

Today winning jockey Tommy Berry had Tavago on his toes behind the barriers and the Tavistock gelding was travelling sweetly in third spot on the fence behind the leader.

Berry knew that he plenty in reserve and let Tavago go at the top of the rise and the Derby was all but over.

Co-trainer Natalie Young said that Tavago could now head to Queensland for the Group 1 $600,000 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 but he will definitely be aimed towards the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“A huge ride by Tommy,” Young said.

“He got him to jump this time, he put him there and he just destroyed them.”

“Going into it he was dappled up, he looked amazing. He was nice and relaxed out there and Tommy just gave him a perfect ride.”

“We have the Queensland Derby in the back of our minds.”

Favourite Tarzino began well and Craig Newitt took to the 18000m to ease the colt back into fourth spot behind the leaders and seemed to have a good run from there but struggle to make an impression down the Randwick straight.

Australian Derby Results

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Starting Price
1 9 TAVAGO (NZ) Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Tommy Berry 1 56.5kg $31
2 13 JAMEKA Ciaron Maher Damien Oliver 3.3L 12 54.5kg $8
3 4 TALLY John O’Shea James McDonald 4.6L 9 56.5kg $8
4 1 TARZINO (NZ) Mick Price Craig Newitt 7L 6 56.5kg $1.65F
5 3 ETYMOLOGY John O’Shea Sam Clipperton 8.3L 5 56.5kg $41
6 8 WHAT’S THE STORY (NZ) Stephen Mckee Blake Shinn 9L 4 56.5kg $20
7 7 GOLD AMBITION (NZ) Bjorn Baker Zac Purton 11.1L 13 56.5kg $41
8 5 SOVEREIGN NATION David Hayes & Tom Dabernig Brenton Avdulla 12.2L 11 56.5kg $31
9 2 VANBRUGH Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 13.1L 8 56.5kg $17
10 6 TORGERSEN (NZ) Chris Waller Opie Bosson 13.5L 7 56.5kg $31
11 10 CROSLEY HOTSHOT Bjorn Baker Damian Lane 13.7L 10 56.5kg $101
12 12 ALFDEN Barbara Joseph & Paul Jones Tim Clark 26.1L 2 56.5kg $201
13 11 OH SO SPLENDIDO (NZ) Bruce Wallace Christian Reith 31.3L 3 56.5kg $151

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off