Earl Of Derby rallies well to hold Silva Hawk down his inside (JC Photos)
The promising Mike De Kock trained Duke Of Marnalade colt Raaees was considered one of the best bets on the Turffontein card on Saturday. But he ran downfield in the R125 000 Egoli Mile as Alec Laird produced the one time winner Earl Of Derby to cause the Pick 6 upset.
Delpech was having a tremendous afternoon and going for his fourth winner when taking the 22 to 10 favourite Raaees down to the start.
Raaees, coming off three successive wins and by all accounts an SA Classic prospect, had his supporters in a sweat early as he proved difficult to load and and gave his rivals the best part of 10 lengths start.
On the flipside, Earl Of Derby was always up with the action and rallied strongly over the final 200m to hold recent maiden winner Silva Hawk and the outsider Hillbrow.
Francois Herholdt rode a strong finish on Earl Of Derby who went off at 20 to 1 and won by 0,75 lengths in a time of 99,86 secs .
The Highlands bred Earl Of Derby is from the very last crop of the deceased National Assembly (a truly remarkable sire) out of the twice winning Miswaki mare, Forest Fawn.
He was sold for just R50 000 on the Cape Ready To Run Sale and took his earnings to R176 425.
He has now won 2 races with 4 places from his 7 starts and R176 425 in stakes.
Earl Of Derby looks a Champions Season candidate and he paid his way in the Cape Summer with three smart second places. He will no doubt join the powerful Alec Laird string of 20 horses at Summerveld shortly.
