Cantfindabettorman (NZ) has Back-to-Back Derby Victories in Sight
18 July 2022
Cantfindabettorman (NZ) (Sweet Lou) kept his unbeaten record in Australia intact when speeding to victory in the A$30,000 Group Three South East Derby (2138m) at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The NZB Standardbred graduate unleashed scintillating final sectionals to beat star Australian three-year-old Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) while notching his first victory at stakes level in the Queensland feature.
Cantfindabettorman was purchased by Otago trainer Graeme Anderson from breeder-vendors Woodlands Stud for $41,000 at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Auckland.
The pacer put together an excellent race record in New Zealand when trained by Anderson, including two stakes placings.
In his last outing before heading to Australia, Cantfindabettorman ran third behind fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Sand Wave (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) in the $50,000 Listed Garrards Sires' Stakes Magnifique (1980m) at Addington.
Cantfindabettorman is raced by his former trainer alongside his stable clients Diane Reilly, Tony Gow, Stephen Pulley, Ray Chalkin and Dave McHugh.
The group sent their gelding to leading Australian trainer and driver Belinda and Luke McCarthy who have produced him to win all three of his starts across the Tasman.
“He’s improving all the time,” Luke McCarthy said.
“I wasn’t quite sure if he was up to beating a horse like Leap To Fame just yet, but he got the right run and did it well.”
The McCarthys now have their sights set on this week’s A$100,000 Group One Queensland Derby (2600m).
“I’m sure he’ll be better again next week and love the 2600m, so he should be right in the big one,” McCarthy said.
Cantfindabettorman followed in the footsteps of fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) by winning the South East Derby.
Before being crowned New Zealand’s three-year-old old pacing colt of the year, the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained Krug won the feature event in track record-breaking time.
Woodlands Stud offered a full brother to Cantfindabettorman at this year’s National Yearling Sale in Auckland. The Sweet Lou colt (Lot 16) was snapped by Graeme Anderson for $40,000.
| Consignor | Woodlands Stud |
| Purchaser | Mr GJ Anderson |
| Breeding | (Sweet Lou x Bettor Be A Lady) |
| Sale | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $41,000 |
| Bred by | Woodlands Stud |