Punters in shock as Epsom becomes 'favourites graveyard'
Not one favourite won a race on Derby day at Epsom race course
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Sunday, 07, Jun 2009 08:41
Yesterday was not a day for favourite-backers at Epsom, as not one market-leader managed to do the business and cross the finishing post first.
Sea The Stars started the day favourite for the Investec Derby but ended up going off at 11/4 after being headed in the market by Fame And Glory.
However, those doubters concerned about the staying power of John Oxx's runner were proved wrong as the horse showed a scintillating turn of foot to put the race to bed midway down the straight, with the favourite running on for second.
One of the most fancied favourites of the day was last year's 1,000 Guineas runner-up Spacious, who was looking to get her season off to a winning start in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
But it was Eva's Request that took the race by a length from Alnadova, with the 2/1 favourite having to work hard to hang on to third.
Winning jockey Edward Creighton said afterwards: "She travelled sweetly and finished off her race real good.
"I went round the inside and she took off when we had a gap - she is so tough and genuine."
Apart from all those connected with the Derby win, the star of the day was undoubtedly trainer Karl Burke, who racked up a 509/1 double.
He saddled Corporal Maddox to a fine win in the Investec Woodcote Stakes at 14/1, as a late charge down the outside by Jim Crowley allowed the horse to make up seven lengths in the final two furlongs to collar Walkingonthemoon on the line.
Burke said: "It was just hard to say how good he was going into the race because he had not beaten much.
"There were a few doubles and trebles rolling onto him so it was pretty exciting."
Desert Auction was the disappointing 9/2 favourite on this occasion, only managing to beat one horse home in 11th.
Burke had already accepted a helicopter ride home before the last race, believing his horse Baldemar was without a serious chance, but this proved a mistake as Liam Jones led the horse to victory at 33/1.
Favourite Aye Aye Digby finished outside the places after encountering some trouble in the home stretch, while the also-fancied Mac Gille Eoin battled on for second.
Elsewhere, in the opener, River Caption cruised away from the opposition to scoop the Investec Sir Clement Freud Memorial Handicap by five lengths from the well-backed Tepmokea as favourite-backers watched Marching Time run on for fifth.
Meanwhile, in the Investec 'Dash' Paul Quinn found a perfect route through the field on Indian Trail to snatch victory away from Captain Dunne, with favourite Wi Dud in seventh.
Reporting by Craig Kemp