New Zealand Racing 2013-14

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HABITUAL OFFENDER
gelding
Guillotine – Ascot Isle


Owner: M Wyborn & R Peel-Walker (no Derby wins)
Trainer: Mike Moroney (Great Command 1996, Cut The Cake 2003, Xcellent 2004) and Chad Ormsby
Rider: Craig Grylls (no Derby wins)

$100,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale.

(Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 5:2-0-0

Stakes races:
6th Great Northern Guineas (G2)

A latecomer who only forced his way into the Derby field with an Ellerslie win on Feb 15. That was his first race over further than a mile, and this gelding was in his element. He was strong and tough and highly impressive. He may have only just made it into the field, but he looks like a powerful runner who’s peaking at the right time. This is a huge step up in class, but he might be a surprise package.

Odds: 20-1



THORN PASS
gelding
Thorn Park – En Passant (Thorn Park sired 2011 Derby hero Jimmy Choux)


Owner: Go Racing Syndicate
Trainer: Lisa Latta (no Derby wins)
Rider: NOT CONFIRMED

(Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 8:2-2-0

Stakes races:
7th Levin Classic (G1)
10th Avondale Guineas (G2)

When he’s good, this Thorn Park gelding is seriously good. His wins at Otaki and Awapuni were stunning. But in between those wins, and since, he’s fallen way short of that level. It’s hard to know what you’re going to get from him. But his A game could make him a factor in the Derby.

Odds: 20-1



STAND YOUR GROUND
gelding
Coats Choice – Cruella


Owner: A Bradley, D R Frampton, A M Goodwin, J E Harman & W M Woods (no Derby wins)
Trainer: Donna & Dean Logan (Habibi 2013)
Rider: Vinnie Colgan (Roysyn 1995, Zonda 1997, Hades 1999, Redoute’s Dancer 2007, Habibi 2013)

$62,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale.

(Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 9-1-1-3

No stakes races

Having done all his racing in much lower grades, Stand Your Ground faces a mountainous step up in class for his tilt at the Derby. But his performances in his last few starts have been excellent. He was third to subsequent Waikato Guineas runner-up Colonel Carerra at Ellerslie, then won strongly at Ellerslie, then had another good third at Ellerslie. The only blot on that form line is his last start, when he finished 11th of 12, but he never had any room to move at any point down the home stretch and never had the chance to accelerate. Another big thing in Stand Your Ground’s favour is Vinnie Colgan, five-time Derby winner, who has picked him as his 2014 Derby mount.