Derby hotpot falls to injury

The New Zealand Derby was thrown wide open after $1.40 favourite Chase Auckland was withdrawn yesterday.

Last week’s Northern Derby winner has curbed a hock and will require at least three weeks out.

‘‘‘If all goes well he could be got up for the Harness Jewels, otherwise he will have a long break with an eye to the [NZ] Cup meeting in November,’’ said All Stars stable co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen.

‘‘It is bad luck from a timing viewpoint, though the owners have had a good run with him so far, and these things are always a possibility.

‘‘We have some other nice three-year-olds to tackle the Derby, but he will certainly be missed.’’ Stablemate Sicario, second behind Chase Auckland in the Northern Derby, should firm into favouritism for the $200,000 feature on April 6.

He was a $10 second favourite early yesterday and closed in to $7.50 before bookies closed the market.

The stable also has Anthem, Funatthebeach and Tennyson Bromac still nominated with Sicario.

Sheriff, third in the Northern Derby, and Pat’s Delight are the next two favourites.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen’s fleeting visit to Young Quinn raceway yesterday proved worthwhile when her drive, War Dan Delight, won the $25,000 NZ Kindergarten Stakes (1609m) in a race record 1min 53.3sec.

It was the Bettor’s Delight colt’s second Group Three win in two starts, following his victory in the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on debut.

The colt left the gate well and Rasmussen eased him into the trail behind stablemate Jack Jones (Mark Purdon), then finished best in the straight.

Later, the $14,999 Wyndham Cup went the way of Winton roughie Gotta Minute (Dexter Dunn, $22), who ran down Tiger Thompson.