Aussie raider aimed at Ellerslie feature

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 Group 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 laststart victory in the 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.

From the family of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Baghdad Note, he is a younger halfbrother to Accreditation, a son of Gallant Guru who has won three times for Weir.

While the stable remains positive on a Derby start for Civil Disobedience, stablemate Ormito is unlikely to come over for the Group 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).

“I don’t think he’ll be making the trip,” Rogers said.

The German-bred stayer was a laststart third at Moonee Valley over 2500m. — NZ Racing Desk.