Racing: Hands off sign on top colt

Top colt Demonetization (2) is off limits. Photo / Dean Purcell

Top colt and leading group one New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender Demonetization is off limits.

The $7 co-favourite with Age of Fire for the Vodafone-sponsored classic, the son of All Too Hard has been the subject of intense overseas interest.

Trainer Nigel Tiley said Demonetization's Auckland-based owner Narendra Balia had knocked back all approaches.

"There's been a lot of interest in the horse and he's turned down some pretty big offers. He told me he's been waiting 25 years to get a good one so he just wants to race him.

"He was one of my first clients when I started training back in 1992."

Tiley has now locked in Demonetization's Derby programme and will bypass a Group One opportunity along the way.

"He won't be going to Wellington next week for the Levin Classic, I don't want to take him down there and I've picked an easier path," he said.

"I'll either run him in the Benchmark 75 mile or the three-year-old race at set weights and penalties over 1400m at the Counties meeting on January 26.

"He'll then go to the Avondale Guineas before the Derby."

Demonetization has won three of his four starts, including the group two Auckland Guineas (1600m) on New Year's Day.

He told me he's been waiting 25 years to get a good one so he just wants to race him.

Nigel Tiley

"He's come through the race really well," Tiley said. "He had a bit of a mishap before that when I took him to Ellerslie for a gallop and he got hooked up on the side of the tie-up stalls.

"I wasn't sure we'd get to the Guineas, but we managed to with the help of the vets.

"I've given him a little freshen up since. He's in the stable, but I haven't put a saddle on him since. We'll start again on Monday."

Meanwhile, stablemate The Justice League will head to Trentham next week after missing a run in the group two Rich Hill Mile (1600m) due to the rain-affected ground.

"I'm going to run him in the Anniversary," Tiley said.

- NZ Racing Desk