Local Hero Wins Local Derby

It was a tale of two Derby’s over the weekend with the Pitman’s Derby on Saturday and the Irish Derby on Sunday.

At Newcastle, it was Northumberland Plate day. Following his first Royal Ascot win in 28 years, Sir Mark Prescott was looking for another first with True Legend and the well-backed Trooper Bisdee.

Brian Ellison, a Newcastle native, was also looking to win his famous local race for the first time with two runners, consistent stayer Tashkhan and Newcastle regular Onesmoothoperator.

As they entered the final furlongs the field were split right across the course with plenty of chances, including Duke Of Oxford on the stand side rail and Too Friendly in the centre.

However, inside the final furlong Onesmoothoperator hugged the stand side rail and flew past Duke Of Oxford. He wasn’t for catching up the stiff finish to land an historic win for the Ellison team. There was a further local connection as owner Patrick Boyle also won the race for the first time, having lived only five minutes from Gosforth Park.

Group One winner Kinross made his first appearance of the season in the Chipchase Stakes, and was looking to get his season off to a winning start. However, York Sprint Trophy winner Montassib managed to gun down the multiple Group One winner in the final 200 yards to win by three-quarters of a length.

On Sunday, it was the turn of the Irish Derby, a race where legends are made. This renewal however, looked a little weaker than most in years gone by. It featured the second and third in the Epsom Derby, Ambiente Friendly and Los Angeles, with the latter upholding Aidan O’Brien’s record of 15 wins in the race.

Despite sweating beforehand, Los Angeles turned into the homestraight in a menacing position down the outside and when Ryan Moore reached the two furlong pole, he went for glory. He kept galloping, leaving Ambiente Friendly and David Menusier’s Sunway in the distance, despite the latter closing the gap in the final few yards.

It was a double Group One weekend over at the Curragh with the Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday.

British raiders Emily Upjohn, Stay Alert and Bluestocking were all in the spotlight against an Irish opposition of just two.

It was the Brits who ruled in the Pretty Polly, with an extraordinary finish. Leading at two furlongs out Emily Upjohn was far ahead of Stay Alert and Bluestocking and looked to be staying on.

Bluestocking became the nearest challenger as they passed the furlong pole, with almost three lengths to make up on Emily Upjohn.

As the line came nearer, Bluestocking chipped away at the Emily Upjohn’s lead, before finally passing her and winning by three-quarters of a length in a memorable finish for the Ralph Beckett team.