Millions Time for up and comer

[Wandering Eyes]

Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will bring a mix of experience and new blood to the table on TAB Karaka Millions Night at Ellerslie this Saturday.

Malt Time, a multiple Group One-performer, was not initially targeted towards the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), but the Byerley Park trainers confirmed the mare will take her place in the $500,000 feature after placing fifth-equal in a congested finish to the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1800m).

“We were originally going to the BCD Sprint, and after Trentham and the trip back we thought she needed a bit more time,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “That was the thinking behind it.

“I rang Bill (Borrie, owner) and had a talk to him about it, then last night, he said why don’t chuck a nom in. It’ll be a nice race for her.”

The daughter of Adelaide will be partnered by jockey Wiremu Pinn.

While Malt Time is all too familiar with the big-time, her younger stablemate Billy Blinx will face the biggest task of his short career in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

A $20,000 purchase out of the draft of Grangewilliam Stud at Karaka in 2023, Billy Blinx has made three appearances on raceday for two placings, including a close-up second to Lachie at Te Rapa last Thursday (16 January).

“He’s a maidener, but he’s gone a couple of nice races and we’ve rated him all the way along,” Clotworthy said. “I think he’s up there with the better three-year-olds that are going around at the moment, but he’s probably just immature.

“Terry (Lines) owns a share in him and he loves to have a bit of punt on everything, he decided he wanted him to race so we’ve chucked him in and he’s got a nice draw (3). We haven’t formulated a plan yet, but the horse is still learning and he was away a bit better last time at Te Rapa.

“Kevin (Stott, jockey) has had a couple of rides on him so he knows him, if we can take a position that’s not too far off them would be nice, without using too much gas early.”

The Clotworthy’s had identified the son of Shocking as a $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect earlier on, but after Saturday’s contest, Billy Blinx will be off to the paddock.

“Long-term, he’s a horse that we had nominated for the Derby, but then we thought it was probably going to come around too quick for him,” he said. “We’ll chuck him out and bring him back in, maybe having a look at the Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) or something like that.

“I think he’s a very promising horse in the making, but Terry’s decided to have a crack at this. It was the deal that we would have a go and then turn him out.”

Meanwhile, the stable’s current favourite for the Derby, Willydoit, will not feature on Saturday evening, with his target looming in just over a month’s time.

“He’s doing well, he heads to the 75 mile (at Ellerslie) on February the first,” Clotworthy said.

“He doesn’t do much at home, he’s a pretty relaxed type of horse but he looks in great order and I’m pleased with him.”

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