Huge upset in New Zealand Derby

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh picked up his maiden New Zealand Derby (2400m) title at Ellerslie on Saturday but not with the horse that many felt would provide that honour.

Marsh saddled up two runners in the contest with punters favouring Group II Avondale Guineas (2100m) placegetter Vernanme as his main winning chance in the Group I Derby.

That overlooked the credentials of stablemate Crown Prosecutor who had disappointed in his previous two runs since winning the Group III Wellington Stakes (1600m) in November.

In a muddling run affair that saw several of the fancied contenders, including favourite Surely Sacred, settle well off the pace, Crown Prosecutor – paying $105.40 for the win and $22.50 for the place – and rider Craig Grylls took advantage of a perfect run in the trail throughout to spring a major upset.

Grylls was struggling to take it all in as he made his way back to the birdcage.

‘‘Emotions are pretty high,’’ he said. ‘‘He had won a stakes race before, but his form wasn’t the best coming in.

‘‘The plan was to go forward but he was green down the straight the first time. He was good when he got a bit of cover and they didn’t go overly hard.

‘‘Turning in he travelled up underneath me then he just kept grinding away and fought it out to the line.’’