Godolphin may have unearthed another ATC Australian Derby prospect after Old North stormed home to win the Group Two Tulloch Stakes.
Trainer John O’Shea said while the decision didn’t ultimately rest with him, he would recommend the horse for a Derby start.
Old North
“It’s been on our radar for a while and he’s on an upward spiral,” O’Shea said.
Old North’s win strengthened Godolphin’s Derby hand, with Tally and Etymology also figuring heavily in calculations for Classic.
Jockey James McDonald saved ground on the rail before a gap finally emerged in the straight, allowing Old North to surge clear in the Tulloch at Rosehill on Saturday.
“James pulled a masterstroke,” O’Shea said.
“He had to ride him like that because of the way the track’s playing today and the tempo of the race.”
McDonald said he felt the jury was still out on whether Old North would get the 2400m in the Derby.
“I’m more leaning towards he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse instead of a mile and a half,” McDonald said.
Torgersen finished strongly to get home for second in the Tulloch and might meet Old North again in the Derby.
“He’s the type of horse that can back up,” trainer Chris Waller said.
Torgersen’s stablemate Multifacets finished third and will now be set for the Queensland Derby.
Waller will also run Spring Champion stakes winner Vanbrugh in the Australian Derby.
Bookmakers made Old North the $6 second favourite behind $2.30 top pick Tarzino.
Old North made it a treble in the first five races for Godolphin and jockey James McDonald, marking a turnaround in fortunes from a winless Golden Slipper day.
“Last week it didn’t really work for us but so far we’re chipping away OK today,” O’Shea said.
