OUTSIDER WINS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30563, 5 October 1964, Page 6

OUTSIDER WINS

Photo For Derby /N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) SYDNEY, October 4. The outsider, Royal Sovereign, won the £AIO,OOO A.J.C. Derby In a photo-finish by a short neck from Strauss, with Park Lane two lengths away third. The race was full of incidents. Interference and tactical blunders.' The shock of the Derby was the failure of the acknowledged champion three-year-old, Eskimo Prince. The even money favourite beat only the rank outsiders, King Kraal and Light Rhythm, both at 250/1.

The first incident of the race came in the first furlong when Cranlelgh, coming to the winning post for the first time, was

forced Into the running rail, reared, and catapaulted his jockey, Keith Banks, out of the saddle. Cranlelgh chased the field the rest of the way. At the six furlongs, Strauss raced up outside Eskimo Prince, leaving that horse in a pocket and, coming to the halfmile was racing only a neck behind the leader, Park Lane. At that stage Eskimo Prince could not improve. It was obvious that Mulley could get nothing more from him. From fourth at the half-mile he had dropped back to sixth at the home turn. > While the manoeuvering was going on, Selkrig sat quietly on Royal Sovereign, steadily making ground without asking his mount for any great effort. As the leaders hit the top of the rise. Park Lane was holding Strauss, but the latter was obviously doing a little better. Inside the last furlong, Strauss got the upper hand and looked a winner. However, Selkrig was driving Royal Sovereign, which was responding gamely and hit the front only a few strides from the post.