Racing: Sydney riches too tempting

The retirement of training legend Colin Jillings may be postponed until after the AJC Derby at Randwick, Sydney, on March 26.

The Takanini-based horseman initially indicated that he was going to retire from training in February after the Wellington Cup meeting at Trentham.

But the lure of the massive stake money on offer at the Sydney autumn carnival has Jillings considering an Australian campaign for his well-performed three-year-old Cheval De Troy.

The Zabeel-sired colt has not raced since his disappointing fourth placing in the $500,000 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on December 26.

Cheval De Troy was given a 10-day break before returning to the stable of Jillings and co-trainer Richard Yuill.

"It's hard to get a line on what really happened to Cheval De Troy in the Derby because Opie [Bosson, jockey] rode him perfectly," said Jillings.

"He just couldn't quicken on the track that day at Ellerslie and that is in direct contrast to how he won his last-start at Ellerslie on December 12.

"I'm not sure if it was the track conditions that tripped him up in the Derby.

"You always learn different things when you train a three-year-old and the other thing is that he may not be a 2400 metre horse.

"I am interested in taking him to Sydney and I have talked things over with the owners and they are keen on the idea.

"Nothing is certain at this point in time and a lot will depend on how he comes up in training.

"He won't have a race start here in New Zealand before we take him to Sydney.

"There are a number of racing options in Sydney at the Randwick carnival for this horse including three-year-old races such as the Derby or weight-for-age events.

"I've spoken to Graeme Rogerson (fellow New Zealand trainer) about basing the horse in his Sydney stable if we are going to race in Australia.

"The run in the Derby really knocked this horse around quite a bit so I'm not going to commit to anything until I'm happy with his fitness and general health.

"He's only had eight race starts and a tough campaign before Christmas getting him ready for the Derby and he's a horse with a massive future ahead of him."

Cheval De Troy showed staggering stamina and speed to win the $60,000 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on December 12.

He raced three wide from the start until the 1600 metre mark when Bosson secured a sit, one off the rails.

Bosson then asked Cheval De Troy to lengthen stride with 600 metres remaining to clear out from the field and win, easing down at the finish.

This was over 2100 metres and the manner of this winning performance suggested the colt had the stamina and class to easily handle the jump up in distance to 2400 metres for the NZ Derby.

Cheval De Troy failed to produce a similar performance in the Derby, battling into fourth position.