Two NZ Derby hopes for Elsdon Park

Elsdon Park will have two chances seeking to emulate Crown Prosecutor in this Saturday’s Gr.1 NZ Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa.

In 2019, Elsdon Park’s Lib Petagna enjoyed success in the blue riband event as co-owner (along with Huntingdale Lodge’s Harvey Green) when the $105-to-$1 rank outsider Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro) powered home to win by a head from In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock).

Crown Prosecutor was trained by Stephen Marsh, who again saddles Petagna’s chances in the Gr.1 feature, this edition courtesy of Andalus (Almanzor) and Cruz Missile (Savabeel).

Andalus was third in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes on debut on two and enters with a win to his name at the track over 1600m two starts back.

Elsdon Park’s second chance in the race is the recent Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) winner Cruz Missile (Savabeel).

Cruz Missile comes into the race with a record showing five starts for two wins and a placing.

Saturday’s NZ Derby market is dominated by the talented Gr.1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (Redwood) who is paying $1.70 for the win. Both Andalus and Cruz Missile are currently rated as $41 chances by the NZ TAB.