Royal Ascot wins Derby

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 20

Royal Ascot wins Derby

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) SYDNEY. Royal Ascot continued New Zealand’s trotting domination of the New South Wales Derby with a convincing win in the classic at Harold Park last night. He was never in danger of defeat and, in a roughly-run race, he won going away, by seven yards from Bill Barry, with Flying Dream two yards away third. Royal Ascot, a stablemate of Manaroa, is raced by his breeder, Mr C. J. McLaughlin, of Mount Hutt, in partnership with Mr F. E. Newfield, of Templeton, and tonight’s win was his second classic success since he came to Australia early this month. He won the Hawkesbury Derby in record time at his first start and qualified for last night’s final by running second to Alipes last week. Last night Royal Ascot and Alipes had a great battle for the lead and approaching the mile post Royal Ascot swept to the front. This caused Alipes to break and drop back. New Zealand pacers now have won 12 of the last 19 Derbys run in Sydney, including three of the last four. Royal Ascot’s time, 2min 58 4-ssec, was only 4-ssec outside the race record set by another New Zealand horse, Cardinal Garrison, three years ago. Result:— NEW SOUTH WALES PACERS’ DERBY lljf. ROYAL ASCOT (N.Z.) A. Harrison 1 BILL BARRY (N.S.W.) L. Hendry 2 FLYING DREAM (N.S.W.) E. Sims 3 Seven yards, two yards. Time: Manaroa Won the Quality Handicap, 13 furlongs, by nine yards from two New South Wales horses. Kiwi Lad and Just So.