Andrasch Starke: King George-winning jockey enjoys another big-race win
PICTURE: Getty ImagesPastorius slams his rivals in impressive romp
Report: Germany, Sunday
Munich, Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (Group 1) 3yo+, 1m 2f
ANY doubts about the value of this year´s German Derby form were laid to rest when Hamburg winner Pastorius (Mario Hofer/ Andrasch Starke) strode clear of a strong field to win Munich´s Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis by eight lengths.
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When he won the German Derby four weeks ago, he finished fast and late to get up close home to win by half a length at odds of 31-1 and there were plenty of people who saw this as a fluke result
There was certainly no fluke about the Munich result, as Pastorius, starting at 3-1 second favourite, demolished the opposition after a very positive ride by Starke.
Starke always had the pacemaker Durban Thunder, last year´s winner, in his sights and moved up to take the lead just under two furlongs out. Favourite Zazou tried to go in pursuit, but Pastorius was now in full flight and the result was already a foregone conclusion. The winner, from the first crop of Soldier Hollow, who himself won this race twice, simply was in a different league.
Zazou tired in the closing stages on ground that was very testing after frequent heavy showers and Durban Thunder rallied to deprive him of second place close home, with Waldpark, last year´s Hamburg winner fourth and Italian Derby winner Feuerblitz in fifth.
There appeared to be no excuses for the beaten horses, although not all of them were suited by the ground, and it was clear that the winner was by far the best horse on the day.
Hofer said that he had decided to go for this race a fortnight ago, "as the timing was perfect; our main target is now the Grosser Preis von Baden in five weeks time."
That race like the Derby is over two furlongs further, but none of that worries Pastorius, who also appears to act on any ground, as it was fast when he won the Derby.
Connections of runner-up Durban Thunder were also delighted. He is now trained by Paul Harley who said: "That was just as good as last year, as this time it was a much better race."
Andreas Wöhler, trainer of Waldpark and also King´s Hall, who finished last, was less happy: "I thought the rain would help our chances, but in fact neither of them seemed comfortable on the ground."
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