Koroibete begins Derby campaign

Monday 24 February 2014, 6:01pm

Unlike the explosive Wests Tigers winger for whom he is named, Koroibete will be on a long-distance mission this campaign which is aimed at the Australian Derby.

Named for Marika Koroibete, the Gerald Ryan-trained gelding begins his Derby preparation in Saturday's Hobartville Stakes (1400m) for a group of owners which includes Tigers captain Robbie Farah and centre Chris Lawrence.

Koroibete ended his summer campaign with victory over 1800m against older horses, reinforcing Ryan's belief he is a stayer of the future.

"He only had a three-week spell and he looks nice and strong," Ryan said.

"I was pleased with his barrier trial last week and he will follow a traditional path to the Derby and go to the Randwick Guineas after Saturday then the Rosehill Guineas.

"I'm not sure about the form from the horses he beat in the 1800 metre race but it showed me he could run the distance."

Koroibete is by little-known stallion Kheleyf who stood one season in Australia at Darley.

"As soon as I saw him I knew he would be a stayer even though everyone told me he was bred to be a sprinter," Ryan said.

There were 11 entries taken on Monday for the Hobartville including New Zealanders Atlante and El Roca, both of whom have the Randwick Guineas as a target.

An unlucky fifth in the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, the Trent Busuttin-trained El Roca showed a superior turn of foot to win the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last Saturday week.

The Murray Baker-trained Atlante won the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November and ran a solid second to Howmuchdoyouloveme in a Rosehill barrier trial last week.

Hussonet colt Woodbine, whose dam is multiple Group One winner Miss Finland is also among the Hobartville entries along with Savvy Nature who will be having his first start since finishing well down the track as favourite in the Victoria Derby.

In the lead-up to the Derby, Savvy Nature finished third in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes and won the Group Two Vase at Moonee Valley.

– AAP

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