Derby riches on offer for 14 in time-honoured Classic

10 min read
While a win in the G1 VRC Derby doesn't hold as much stud value now as what it might have in the past, there is still a lucrative prize pool on offer for the 14 contenders in Saturday's time-honoured Classic. TDN AusNZ takes a runner-by-runner look at the pedigrees and backgrounds of the contenders of the classic race that dates back to 1855.

No. 1 - Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder (Ire) x Tortoni (Strategic))

Trainer: Patrick Payne

Jockey: Billy Egan

Barrier: 14

Cherry Tortoni’s dam Tortoni, who has also produced the two-time winner Café Tortoni (Reset), is a daughter of the G1 One Thousand Guineas winner Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}).

Tortoni is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}) and to the Listed winners Hood (Shamardal {USA}) and Dream Ballad (Singspiel {Ire}).

The G2 Magic Night S. winner Ichihara (General Nediym) and the G2 Run to the Rose S. winner Menari (Snitzel), who also ran third in the G1 Golden Rose, are other members of the family.

Tortoni has a 2-year-old filly by former shuttler Bobby’s Kitten (USA) and a yearling filly by Churchill (Ire), while she is currently in foal to Mendelssohn (USA) and will this year be served by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB).

No. 2 - Albarado (NZ) (Savabeel x O’Fille (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}))

Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young

Jockey: Mark Zahra

Barrier: 8

Purchased by Busuttin Racing for NZ$140,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the draft of Rich Hill Stud, Albarado is the only named foal out of three-time stakes winner O’Fille.

O’Fille is out of La Fille (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}), who is an unraced half-sister to stakes placegetters Master Painter (NZ) (Vice Regal {Can}) and Charmante (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}), who also produced Charmaine (NZ) (Centaine), the dam of Group 1 performer Charma (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

O’Fille has a 2-year-old colt by Shocking, who was purchased by Hawkes Racing for NZ$200,000 at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale, and she has not been served since.

Albarado (NZ) as a yearling

No. 3 - Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ) x Luminova (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))

Trainer: Denis Pagan

Jockey: Lachlan King

Barrier: 5

Purchased by Malua Racing and Flemington Bloodstock for NZ$50,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the draft of Bradbury Park, Johnny Get Angry is the third foal out of placed mare Luminova.

Luminova herself is out of Listed JRA Cup winner and G1 Queensland Oaks fourth Pavlova (Singspiel {Ire}), who is out of multiple stakes placegetter Hospitable (Luskin Star), making her a half-sister to G2 Autumn Classic winner and G1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up Fubu (Last Typhoon {Ire}).

Further back this is also the family of G1 South Australian Derby winner and G1 Melbourne Cup third Markham (Salieri {USA}) as well as G1 Mackinnon S. winner Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}).

Luminova’s only foal since producing Johnny Get Angry is a yearling colt by Cambridge Stud shuttler Alamanzor (Fr).

Johnny Get Angry (NZ) as a yearling

No. 4 - Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel (NZ) x Tegwin (O’Reilly {NZ}))

Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Jockey: John Allen

Barrier: 3

Let’s Karaka Deel was purchased at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Flying Start Syndications and Pinhook Bloodstock for NZ$80,000 from the draft of Wentwood Grange.

He is the first and only foal to race out of winning mare Tegwin who herself is out of Listed winner and G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic runner-up Anne Carina (NZ) (Danske {NZ}).

Further back, this is also the family of G3 Taranaki Breeders S. winner Kisses (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), dual Group 1 winner Costume (NZ) (Savabeel), who also produced the stakes performers Masquerade (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and Masque (NZ) (Savabeel).

No. 5 - Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ) x Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock))

Trainer: Danny O’Brien

Jockey: Damien Oliver

Barrier: 4

Purchased by Aquis Farm and O’Brien Thoroughbreds at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$140,000 from the draft of Cambridge Stud, Young Werther is the second foal to race out of winning mare Romantic Time.

Romantic Time is out of Listed winner Shalt Not (St Covent), who is also responsible for G2 Silver Slipper winner Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice) - herself the dam of Listed Rosebud H. runner-up Better Land (Shamardal {USA}) - and Elimbari (Fastnet Rock), runner-up in the G3 Kindergarten S. and dam of G2 Reisling S. third Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible) and Listed Talindert S. runner-up Conscious (So You Think {NZ}).

Further back, this is also the family of multiple stakes placegetter More Radiant (More Than Ready {USA}).

Romantic Time has a 2-year-old brother to Young Werther who was purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock and Kaha Syndicate for NZ$220,000 at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, while she recently foaled a filly by Coolmore shuttler American Pharoah (USA).

Young Werther (NZ) as a yearling

No. 6 - Hit The Shot (Dundeel (NZ) x Tang (Redoute’s Choice))

Trainer: Matt Cumani

Jockey: Fred Kersley

Barrier: 9

Hit The Shot was purchased by G Tao for $170,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield Stud and he is the sixth foal to race out of unplaced Redoute’s Choice mare Tang who is also responsible for the Listed-placed Moroccan Rose (Charge Forward), herself the dam of Listed Phelan Ready S. runner-up Kavak (Deep Field).

Tang is out of Zest (Marauding {NZ}), making her a sister to Triscay S. winner Zestful and a half-sister to G1 Australasian Oaks fourth Zedazest (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) and Bella Maddelena (Flying Spur), the dam of R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Military Rose (General Nediym).

Tang has a 2-year-old brother to Hit The Shot and this year foaled a colt by Mikki Isle (Jpn).

Hit The Shot as a yearling

No. 7 - Cetshwayo (Dundeel (NZ) x Haraka (Foreplay))

Trainer: Danny O’Brien

Jockey: Jamie Kah

Barrier: 10

Bred and raced by Wyadup Valley Farm, Cetshwayo is the second winner from two to race out of Haraka, who herself is a half-sister to G1 Australian Derby fourth Bikini (Street Sense {USA}).

Further back, this is the family of dual American Grade 1 winner Fastness (Ire) (Rousillon {USA}), G1 Epsom Derby winner North Light (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and G1 Prix de Saint-Cloud scorer Gamut (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}).

Haraka has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Teofilo (Ire) who is named Benghazi and a yearling colt by Fiorente (Ire), while she was served by the Sun Stud resident last month.

No. 8 - Redwood Shadow (NZ) (Redwood (GB) x Prickley Princess (NZ) (Thorn Park))

Trainer: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr

Jockey: Jye McNeil

Barrier: 12

After passing in at Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Redwood Shadow was offered at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale in the Ohukia Lodge draft where he was snapped up by MG Price Racing & Breeding for $75,000.

He is the third foal to race out of four-time winner Prickley Princess, who herself is out of Bak Da Princess (NZ) (Danske {NZ}), making her a half-sister to G1 Easter H. winner Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and multiple stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).

Prickley Princess’ second dam is Havitbak (NZ) (Bakharoff {USA}), who also produced Bak Da Cheif (NZ) (Chief Bearhart {Can}), the dam of dual Group 1 winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).

Prickley Princess has a 2-year-old sister to Redwood Shadow and produced a colt by Reliable Man (GB) last year.

Redwood Shadow (NZ) as a yearling

No. 9 - Wertheimer (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ) x Wild About Me (Lonhro))

Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young

Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Barrier: 6

Wertheimer is the only foal to race out of winning Lonhro mare Wild About Me, who herself is out of the Listed-placed Like Me Wild (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Further back this is also the family of stakes winners Potantico (USA) (Flatter {USA}) and Amazing Grace (Ind) (Hurricane Run {Ire}).

Wild About Me has a 2-year-old filly by Jakkalberry (Ire) and a yearling filly by Proisir.

No. 10 - Tour Of Duty (Hinchinbrook x Rippled (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}))

Trainer: Mike Moroney

Jockey: James McDonald

Barrier: 13

An Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate from the draft of Edinglassie Stud in Muswellbrook, Tour Of Duty was purchased by Paul Moroney and Ballymore Stables for $150,000.

He is is third foal to race out of winning mare Rippled, making him a half-brother to G3 Mannerism S. winner Greysful Glamour (Stratum) and a brother to the multiple stakes-placed Celestial Falls.

Rippled’s second dam is Pink Cristal (GB) (Dilum {USA}), who produced multiple American stakes winner Always First (GB) (Barathea {Ire}), while this is also the family go G1 Sydney Cup runner-up Libran (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Rippled has an unraced brother to Tour Of Duty who is named Arnold while she produced a filly by Pierro last year.

No. 11 - Token Spirit (Wandjina x Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper))

Trainer: Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock

Jockey: Damian Lane

Barrier: 11

Token Spirit was purchased by Griffiths Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Gilgai Farm and is the third foal to race out of G1 Queensland Oaks winner and G1 Queen Of The Turn S. runner-up Miss Keepsake.

Miss Keepsake is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Villifye (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and G3 Ethereal S. runner-up Salto Angel and her only foal since Token Spirit is a colt by So You Think (NZ) who she produced this season.

Token Spirit as a yearling

No. 12 - Born To Succeed (Snitzel x Miss Match (Arg) (Indygo Shiner {USA}))

Trainer: Saab Hasan

Jockey: Michael Walker

Barrier: 7

Born To Succeed was originally purchased for $500,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling from the draft of Arrowfield Stud before being offered in the Inglis 2020 March (Late) Online Sale where he was snapped up for $11,000.

He is the third foal to the race out of dual Grade 1 winner Miss Match, who herself is a half-sister to fellow Grade 1 winner Carina Mia (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}). Further back, this is also the family of triple Grade 1 winners Miss Linda (Arg) (Southern Halo {USA}) and Lord Nelson (USA) (Pulpit {USA}).

Miss Match has a 2-year-old named Clash and yearling brothers to Born To Succeed while she produced a colt by Shalaa (Ire) this year.

Born To Succeed as a yearling

No. 13 - Wisaka (Tavistock (NZ) x Sarvon (Zabeel {NZ}))

Trainer: Mike Moroney

Jockey: Ben Melham

Barrier: 2

Purchased by Paul Moroney for NZ$320,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the draft of Woburn Farm, Wisaka is out of winning mare Sarvon, making him a half-brother to the Group 3-placed Swords Drawn (NZ) (Camelot {GB}) and Savont (NZ) (Exceed And Excel), who is the dam of Group 3 winner Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War {USA}).

Sarvon herself is out of Palia (Last Tycoon {Ire}), winner of the G3 Emancipation S. and the dam of G1 Champagne S. scorer Onemorenomore, Listed winner Dr Green (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and stakes performers Fury (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and Roussay (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}).

Further back this is also the family of Vinery Stud resident Casino Prince and G1 JJ Atkins winner Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock).

Sarvon has a 2-year-old colt by Pride Of Dubai while she missed to Charm Spirit (Ire) last year.

Wisaka as a yearling

No. 14 - Kenzan (Adelaide (Ire) x Canelot (Canny Lad))

Trainer: Danny O’Brien

Jockey: Daniel Moor

Barrier: 1

Kenzan is the second foal to race out of winning mare Canelot, who is a half-sister to three winners. Canelot’s dam is the unraced mare Blanket (Nuclear Freeze {USA}), who herself is out of the stakes-placed Bedspread (USA) (Seattle Dancer {USA}).

Further down the page is Group 2 winner Chancellor (Ire) (Halling {USA}) and G1 Coronation Cup third High Heeled (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).