The 2019 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 2 March 2019. It was the 144th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Crown Prosecutor. With a dividend of $105.40 for a $1 win bet, it is considered the biggest upset in Derby history.[1]
Crown Prosecutor was bred by Hesket Bloodstock in Victoria, Australia and was bought for A$50,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He is owned by Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (managed by Harvey Green) and JML Bloodstock Ltd (Lib Petagna) and is trained by Stephen Marsh in Cambridge.
Although he had won the Wellington Stakes at Group Three level in November, Crown Prosecutor had been disappointing in two subsequent starts and had the highest odds in the 18-horse Derby field.[2]
Ridden by Craig Grylls, Crown Prosecutor raced fiercely in the early stages of the race but settled into a good position trailing the leaders. He was travelling smoothly approaching the home turn and quickened to take the lead in the straight. In A Twinkling, who had a wide run throughout the race, nevertheless provided a stern challenge in the last 200 metres. But Crown Prosecutor refused to let him pass and held him out by a head. It was a first New Zealand Derby victory for Marsh and Grylls. Marsh had two runners in the race, with ninth-placed Vernanme considered the better chance as third favourite.
It was another near-miss for In A Twinkling's trainer Jamie Richards and owners Te Akau Racing. Since winning the race in 2017 with Gingernuts), they have finished second two years in a row. Mongolianconqueror was beaten by a nose by Vin De Dance in 2018.
| Margin | Horse | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Odds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crown Prosecutor | Craig Grylls | Stephen Marsh | $105.40 | ||
| 2 | Head | In A Twinkling | Glen Boss | Jamie Richards | $6.80 | |
| 3 | 1½ | Platinum Invador | Chris Johnson | Lisa Latta | $13.10 | |
| 4 | Neck | Arrogant | Cameron Lammas | Michael Moroney & Pam Gerard | $27.50 | |
| 5 | Short neck | Surely Sacred | Vinnie Colgan | Tony Pike | $2.70 | |
| 6 | ¾ | Bobby Dee | Jonathan Riddell | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | $49.80 | |
| 7 | Neck | Tolemac | Jake Bayliss | Paul Jenkins | $102.90 | |
| 8 | ¾ | Prise De Fer | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards | $17.30 | |
| 9 | ¾ | Vernanme | Jason Waddell | Stephen Marsh | $9.80 | |
| 10 | Nose | Cutadeel | Matt Cameron | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | $19.70 | |
| 11 | Neck | The Chosen One | Sam Spratt | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | $34.60 | |
| 12 | ½ | Swords Drawn | Samantha Collett | Shaune Ritchie | $46.80 | |
| 13 | 1½ | Sir Nate | Rosie Myers | Lisa Latta | $40.40 | |
| 14 | ½ | Botti | Trudy Thornton | Chris Waller | $44.50 | |
| 15 | Neck | SpongeBob | Troy Harris | Graham Richardson & Gavin Parker | $17.50 | |
| 16 | 1 | More Wonder | Ryan Elliot | Team Rogerson | $20.40 | |
| 17 | 1 | Nobu | Pat Cosgrave | Chris Waller | $12.40 | |
| 18 | 9 | Lincoln Falls | Johnathan Parkes | Lisa Latta | $41.10 |
Further details of the winner, Crown Prosecutor:
Early-season appearances in 2018-19 prior to running in the Derby.
Crown Prosecutor was only 9th in the Rosehill Guineas and its best subsequent performance was 3rd behind Melody Belle in the Group 1 2019 Livamol Classic (2040m)
Runner up in the New Zealand Derby, In A Twinkling who followed up with 5th in both the Tulloch Stakes and Australian Derby behind Angel of Truth won the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) in 2019 and 2020 and was 3rd in the 2020 Zabeel Classic.
3rd placed Platinum Invader was behind In A Twinking in the same Australian starts but was later to achieve:
4th placed Arrogant was 2nd in the Rosehill Guineas behind The Autumn Sun but could only manage 9th in the Australian Derby.
5th placed Surely Sacred put on two worthy performances to be 4th in the Rosehill Guineas and 3rd in the Australian Derby.
8th placed Prise De Fer did not go to Australia but after a spell had 5 consecutive wins including the Group 2 2020 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and Group 3 2020 Taranaki Cup (1800m) before a 2nd in the Otaki-Maori Weight for Age. It continued to be competitive in Group company.
Although only 11th in the New Zealand Derby, The Chosen One went on to compete with distinction at the very highest level including: