Sensational Kembla Grange maiden winner Tsarevich is on the path to the Australian Derby after a $700,000 offer was turned down by connections.
Trainer John Sargent confirmed the big money offer, which had come “sight unseen” after the Kembla win, where the three-year-old stormed home after looking well beaten in the straight.
It drew comparisons to the win of Sargent-trained Gust Of Wind in a Scone Maiden before she became the last horse to beat Winx in the Australian Oaks of 2015.
Tsarevich produces an incredible finish to win Race 5 at @kemblaraces! 🔥@jsargentracing @MollyBourke7 pic.twitter.com/lRymHaGyVU
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 28, 2026
“They have turned it down but the horse was never vetted or looked at, so it had a long way to go,” Sargent said.
“We still have him in the stable and the Derby would be the dream.
“The way he won took me by surprise, not the winning, because he is a nice horse, but the finish was impressive to the eye.
“We need to see it again, so his next start is probably going to be at Kembla next week over 1400m.
“Then we will look to take the steps towards the Derby.”
![Tsarevich [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2243797-750x500.jpg)





