GERMANY: Derby Jinx Strikes Again

Monday, 2 July 2012: The recent jinx on favourites in the G1 German Derby continued at Hamburg on Sunday when Novellist was outrun at odds-on in the final stages by outsider Pastorius.

A 31-1 chance Pastorius gave his trainer Mario Hofer and jockey Terry Hellier their first success in the classic after many near misses.

Mario Hofer said: "I've been runner-up here three times and was very sad two years ago to finish second with Zazou to a supplemented Godolphin entry.

"This time I thought we were running for second place again behind Novellist but Pastorius had been working very well and I expected him to finish in the frame.

"I decided after the German 2,000 Guineas that he was a stayer and needed longer distances. I have complete confidence in Terry and gave him no orders at all."

Hellier was able to celebrate the greatest triumph of his career at the age of 46.

"I've been trying to win the race for over 20 years," he said, "It's a great feeling. It was not a deliberate manoeuvre to come wide but the horse wanted to go that way and was galloping on so strongly that I let him get on with it."

Hofer indicated the winner might run next in the Grosser Preis von Baden.

Novellist held on for second from Girolamo, with Baltic Rock fourth and Frankie Dettori fifth on the second favourite Black Arrow.

As the field bunched into the straight Novellist and Pastorius, who tracking him, improved their positions from the rear but Dettori made the first move.

However, Black Arrow could not get away from the field with the Andreas Wohler-trained Novellist coming on strongly in the centre of the track and Pastorius wider out.

Pastorius found an extra gear and in the closing stages and went on to win by half a length.