Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will plot a path towards the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with their promising three-year-old Interplanetary, who put his staying prowess on display at Te Aroha on Sunday.
A son of Time Test, Interplanetary finished fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) as a juvenile and had been building into favourable distances this campaign, culminating in a narrow second behind Sweet But Psycho at the course on November 27.
Returning to Te Aroha, the colt started a $2.20 favourite under Craig Grylls in the Bayleys Country 2200, easing back early to find the rail in the back-half of the field. The pressure came on at the 600m and Interplanetary was near-last turning for home, but Grylls hugged the rail and set out after Geetee Forty, who he caught with plenty left in store to win by 1 – ½ lengths.
“He did it nicely, it wasn’t an overly strong field, but the manner in which he finished the race off made us happy,” Shaun Clotworthy said.
“He’s an out and out stayer, his goal is to head towards the Derby and he’ll eat up the 2400m no problem. He’s a good tough horse, and being a colt, he eats up and thrives on work. We’re happy with him staying as a colt at the moment.
“He’ll probably go to the paddock and have a break for a 10 days and we’ll map a plan through some of the Guineas races and into the Derby.”
A $60,000 purchase by co-owner and Kingmakers Director Leighton Howl at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, Interplanetary is out of a Galileo mare Sirani, who won on three occasions over ground.
Leighton Howl retained the 40% Principal share in the Time Test following purchase, with the rest of the shares going to some of his most loyal owners including Bruce Davidson and Owen Shaw from Rothbury Insurance as well as Rex Pearce who Leighton earlier worked with in the advertising & media industry.
“Bruce’s dream was to win the NZ Derby, so went to the sale with a few of our owners committed to the purpose so we brought a nice Colt out of LA stud that we thought would eat up the 2400m.” Kingmakers Director Leighton Howl said.
“With the current launch of new NZ Horses syndication company Kingmakers well underway, we hoping the striking colt will become a flagship 3 year old for the new venture following the 2025 Karaka Sale,” Howl said.
