Derby Path for So You Think 3YO

A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Mill Park by Busuttin Racing/Andrew Campbell, lightly raced Thedoctoroflove (3g So You Think x Liberty Lady, by Rebel Raider) has been handled quietly to date, but the gloves are set to come off in 2025 with Derby dreaming on the horizon.

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Thedoctoroflove was having his third start following two placings in shorter maiden races at Sale and Bendigo and appreciated the big stage at Flemington and a step out to 2000m.

He was doing his best work on the line to score a half length win for Daniel Moor over the race favourite Sigirya Rock, a promising staying filly by Alabama Express.

"That was always the plan, to just go back and let him hit the line. We've come here quietly confident today that he could get the job done. It was a reasonably strong field today, so he put him away quite easily, I thought," said stable representative Trent Murphy.

"He's going to improve a lot from each run he has. He'll get over a nice trip and he's got a nice future in front of him."

"As far as I know, he'll find himself in a Derby somewhere, whether it be Sydney or Adelaide or New Zealand, I'm not sure."

Leading South Australian nursery Mill Park Stud have a great record for producing classic three year-olds including the 2024 Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Goldrish Guru and Thedoctoroflove certainly fits the profile of success.

Bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust, he is the first foal of Liberty Lover, a metro winning half-sister by dual Derby winner Rebel Raider to Group II winner and $3.5million earner Dalasan and stakes-winner Party Princess, who is also by So You Think.

So You Think had solid results at Magic Millions this week with 15 yearlings selling at an average $158,667 and his top seller was a filly from Black Tulip that made $340,000 for Widden Stud when bought by Byerley Bloodstock.

Liberty Lover was covered by St Mark’s Basilica last spring.