Hobart Derby win for Gai Waterhouse
Northwest Passage could now make his way to a Group One Classic after taking out the Listed Tasmanian Derby.
The gelding gave Gai Waterhouse, who now trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, her first win in the Tasmanian feature.
On the back of his dominant win in the Hobart Guineas, Northwest Passage was sent out the $1.10 favourite in Friday’s 2200m-race but gave his supporters a couple of anxious moments.
He was behind horses on the turn but once Adam Hyeronimus got him into the clear, he stratched out to win by 3-1/4 lengths.
Stable representative Neil Paine said Northwest Passage was a natural stayer with a bright future.
“Gai targeted Tasmania after he won at Canterbury at his second start so we brought home down for the two races and everything has played out perfectly.” Paine said.
“The plan was to travel the horse to help him mature and given his laid-back nature, I’m sure he will just take all of this in his stride.”
Waterhouse will now look at autumn Derbys in Sydney and Adelaide.
Northwest Passage is by multiple Group One winner So You Think and is hos sire’s third stakes winner.