Racing: Jillings calls time after Cheval fails

The long and successful career of Takanini trainer Colin Jillings finished on a sad note when Cheval De Troy finished last in the $A2 million ($2.15 million) BMW at Rosehill yesterday.

"That's it for me," Jillings told NZPA after the race, confirming that Cheval De Troy's AJC Derby plans were over. "He's had enough, he may as well go home. It's a bit disappointing, but that's racing. We're used to losing."

Cheval De Troy, who is to be trained by Lee Freedman in the spring, raced just outside pacemaker Grand Armee in the early and middle stages of the 2400m classic, but when jockey Shane Dye asked him to go at the 500m mark, it was apparent he was struggling.

And immaturity rather than bad manners cost Cambridge colt Dr Green a chance of figuring in the finish of the $A3 million Golden Slipper, brilliantly won by Stratum, one of six Redoutes Choice 2-year-olds in the race. Dr Green, a $76 outsider, was the first New Zealand-trained horse in the Slipper since Our Maizcay ran fourth behind Flying Spur a decade ago.

He was given a perfect run just in behind the pace by jockey Rhys McLeod, loomed as a chance at the 300m but seemed to wander a little and eventually faded to finish 14th of the 16 runners, 7.9 lengths behind Stratum.

"Rhys said he thought that once he got out amongst them he got a bit lost," Cambridge trainer Brian Jenkins told NZPA. "But he still hasn't kicked as well as I thought he would."

Earlier in the card, three New Zealand-trained horses gave encouraging performances.

King Johny came from the back of the field to finish third in the group two Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes over 2000m. Stella Grande won.

"It was a good run at this stage of his preparation," said Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors, who said the horse would next race in the AJC Derby at Randwick on Saturday.

Justa Tad ran a superb third in the group one Arrowfield Stud Stakes, two long necks behind the winner Hollow Bullet, with Lotteria second and fellow New Zealander Tusker just behind Justa Tad.

Trainer Rudy Liefting was thrilled with Justa Tad's performance and is tempted to run her in the group one AJC Oaks on Wednesday week.

Murray Baker said Tusker needed firmer ground and would run in the Oaks.

- NZPA