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.

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