Ellerslie tilt depends on flights

The Australian-trained Civil Disobedience will chase Ellerslie classic honours if suitable travel arrangements can be confirmed.

The New Zealand-bred son of Raise The Flag has been in grand form for leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir, who is keen on a crack at the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) with the colt.

‘‘We’re hoping to get him over there, we’re just having a bit of trouble with the flights,’’ said Jeremy Rogers, who has been Weir’s racing manager since 2010 following a stint at Waikato Stud. Civil Disobedience has proved his staying qualities with a runaway last-start victory in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), the fourth win of his 10-start career.

‘‘He’s a really promising horse and we want to get him to Ellerslie,’’ Rogers said. Civil Disobedience is currently rated a $14 chance in the Derby market.

‘‘If we get over we’ll probably bring a jockey from here,’’ Rogers said. ‘‘John Allen usually rides him, but it’s Australian Guineas day and we’ll have Cliff’s Edge in that.’’

Civil Disobedience was purchased by Weir and Queensland-based bloodstock agent John Foote, a regular yearling buyer in New Zealand, out of White Robe Lodge’s 2016 South Island Sale draft for $32,500.

His stablemate German-bred stayer Ormito is unlikely to start in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) having yet to win in Australia.