Racing
NZ Derby winner fresh for Tramway return
The Epsom Handicap is among the carnival options for Ciaron Maher’s latest Group 1 recruit.
Former Kiwi Willydoit has a Derby win on his resume but new trainer Ciaron Maher has seen enough from the gelding to believe that he isn't one dimensional.
While the son of Tarzino showed stamina to take out the New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and finish fourth in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) a run later, he is also a two-time winner over a mile.
In that vein, Maher is happy to kick off the four-year-old's campaign in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday but says it is his second-up effort that's likely to be pivotal in determining the path he takes through the spring.
"He's a big, raw, leggy horse. He looks like a Derby horse but he does have a lot more toe than your regular Derby horse. Some of his best rating races were over a mile," Maher said.
"I'm feeling my way a little bit but I thought the Epsom (Handicap) might be a nice race for him.
"Where he's at with his rating, big track and given some of his best runs were at a mile."
Tommy Berry will partner Willydoit in what is shaping as a deep renewal of the Tramway with the likes of Militarize, Linebacker, Private Eye and Pericles all scheduled to step out.
Maher has been pleased with the four-year-old's build up but admits a wide draw might force his hand tactically.
"The barrier Gods are not with me at all this week, Willy has got 15," Maher said.
"We'll see how the race looks but you'd think from out there he is just taking his medicine and poking through but he does have a turn of foot when he's fresh."
Multiple stakes winner Angel Capital is an early scratching from the Tramway after drawing wide and instead set to make his debut for Chris Waller in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley where he has barrier two.
Check out the latest Sydney News