A storming run forKris Kin under champion jockey Kieren Fallon saw the colt, who had been backed from 14-1 to 6-1 on the day, claim the Vodaphone Derby ahead of 20-1 outsider The Great Gatsby.
When Sir Michael Stoute advised Kris Kin’s owner Saeed Suhail to put his hand in his pocket to the tune of £90,000 and supplement Kris Kin back into the Derby, after withdrawing him last autumn, we all should have taken notice.
While reflecting on his third Derby triumph on Sunday morning, Stoute explained: “KrisKin is so lazy at home – one of the laziest horses I have ever trained – he was showing us nothing and I didn’t think he would be mature enough for an Epsom Derby. I cost Saeed a fortune.”
In the end, it was a £90,000 gamble that reaped the rich dividend of a first prize of £852,000.
How the race was won
Alamshar looked to be Kris Kin’s deadliest threat as both colts bore down on the leader, The Great Gatsby, who was being driven for all he was worth by Derby old stager,Pat Eddery.
Kris Kin was ninth coming round Tattenham Corner, with Kieren Fallon nudging him along. The champion jockey hugged the inside during the descent into the home straight and then switched out to challenge as Alamshar closed threateningly.
With a furlong to run, the Fallon powerhouse had galvanised Kris Kin into overdrive and was catching The Great Gatsby with every stride. He prevailed by a length with Alamshar a short head back in third. Norse Dancer came from last to finish fourth.
Stoute described Fallon’s execution of the job as “one of the greatest Derby rides”.
Casual Look claimed the Oaks
Rookie trainer Andrew Balding had the day of his life on Friday, winning the Oaks with Casual Look andtwo other races with Passing Glance and Rimrod.
Yesterday, hot favourite for the Oaks, endured a nightmare run in second place and Summitville ran her heart out to finish third.
