Australian Derby 2016: Tommy Berry takes first classic with Kiwi longshot Tavago

A CLEVER ride from Tommy Berry has delivered Kiwi trainers Trent Bussutin and Natalie Young victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Derby with Tavago.

Tavago ridden by Tommy Berry wins race 7 during Randwick Races on Day 1 of the Championships. Berry returns to scale Pic Jenny Evans

NATALIE Young broke new ground in one of the oldest features races on the Australian turf when Tavago scored an upset win in the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby at Royal Randwick.

The Derby was first run in 1861 and Young became the first female trainer to prepare the winner of the famous three-year-old classic.

Young is co-trainer with her partner in life, Trent Busuttin, and they engineered the biggest Derby boilover of the modern era when $31 outsider Tavago streeted his rivals.

“Well, that is something,’’ Young said when informed she had created racing history in the Derby.

“This is phenomenal, I’m speechless, really. He was unlucky in the New Zealand Derby and we felt it was worth a shot bringing him to Randwick.’’

Tavago ($31), given the run of the race by Tommy Berry, proved the strongest stayer as he careered away from his rivals to win by a widening three-and-a-quarter lengths from the game filly Jamekha ($8) with Tally ($8) just over a length away third.

Trainers Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin. Picture: Jenny Evans

Tarzino was sent out the $1.65 favourite and although he was inclined to over-race a little he was given every possible chance by jockey Craig Newitt and only laboured into fourth position.

Berry, 24, described his Derby triumph as one of his biggest thrills in what has already been a remarkable riding career.

“One of my best thrills in racing was winning the Hong Kong Derby on DesignsOn Rome but to do it on my home land in Australia, God it’s brilliant,’’ Berry said.

“I was confident because how often do you see Trent Busuttin come over with a horse and when he does, he’s confident, they run well.

Tavago and Tommy Berry after the Randwick classic. Picture: Jenny Evans

“I knew this horse woul stay all day so I took a bit of a shortcut home on the corner but he was very strong on the line.

“I can’t thank Trent enough for giving me the ride. He’s a champion bloke and glad I could win for the kiwis.’’

Young and Busuttin train out of Cambridge in New Zealand but revealed plans to move their stable base to Cranbourne in Victoria from August.

“This Derby win is great timing,’’ Young revealed.

“Trent and I have been bringing horses over to the spring and autumn carnivals for a number of years and it has been our ambition to come here and try to mix it with the top Australian trainers.

“We are going to move to Cranbourne for the start of the new season to see how we go.

Busuttin trained Sangster to win the 2011 Victoria Derby and believes Tavago has the makings of a Melbourne Cup contender in the spring.

“He was a good thing beaten in the our Derby so we threw him on the plane and he has just improved,’’ Busuttin said.

“His sire Tavistock throws great horses and Tommy Berry give him the gun ride, box-seated and he was looking good a long way out.”

‘“Tommy [Berry] was quite confident before the race, he said it is evening out so I said you’re the best and just do what you do.”

Craig Newitt confirmed Tarzino over-raced on what he described as a “stupidly slow” pace.

“When I came out at the 700m to give him room he swapped onto his Melbourne leg and he stayed on his Melbourne leg for the rest of the way. He never felt comfortable at any stage,’’ Newitt said.

Natalie Young hugged by connections after the Derby. Picture: Jenny Evans