Narrowest of Margins

The Informant reports:

After many years and a host of victories in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas and Oaks, the powerful Te Akau Racing team's wait for a New Zealand Derby was ended by Gingernuts last March - and they very nearly did it again just 12 months later.

Mongolianconqueror went as close in today's Vodafone-sponsored Ellerslie classic as any beaten runner possibly can. In a desperate, head-bobbing finish, he was beaten by a nose by Vin De Dance.

“It was a great run and a very exciting race,” Te Akau principal David Ellis said. “Well done to the connections of the winner.

“Our horse is very exciting. He's still on the improve, and there's a good chance we could take him to Sydney for the Australian Derby.”

Part-owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry, the son of Ocean Park has won two of his eight starts and placed in another three. He was also a fast-finishing second in the Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas.

Jockey Michael McNab was unable to hide his disappointment after going so close to a first Derby win.

“A stride before the post we were in front and a stride after the post we were in front,” he said. “He went huge, but it hurts.”

There was also a Te Akau connection to the winner, with Ellis pointing out that Vin De Dance's strapper is a stepson of Te Akau co-trainer Stephen Autridge.