Badrie steers Academy Award to Derby victory

Turfites watched in awe as young rider Dillon Khewalan swept to the lead with evens betting favourite Crown The King, and set off to make all in the 2000 metres event.

At one stage, Crown The King held a three length lead over Academy Award, with Badrie just biding his time.

The champion jockey sent Academy Award to challenge 800 metres out and Khelawan (D) tried to get something out of his mount, but there was nothing and he weakened badly to finish just fifth, while the winner was a clear 5 ? lengths to the good at the wire.

King Arthur, an 18-1 outsider rallied down the stretch to get second while another long shot, the 35-1 Peace N Glory filled the third spot and Black Onyx90-1 was fourth. Earlier, 16-1 Whisper Light made light work of his field to wrest the $150,000 Diamond Stakes ahead of the consistent Thisonesforron and stablemate Control Unit the overwhelming 3-5 favourite. But evens favourite Deserty Dancer restored order for favourites, winning the $00,000 Derek Cozier Claseic by a most comfortable 5 1/4 lengths ahead of stablemate Blazing Spirit an 18-12 shot with Wall Stret and Caliburn trailing. Jockey Naim Samaroo was the pick of his peers yesterday, booting home a hat-trick of wins, while Jose William-Samaroo and Terrance Thomas saddled two winners each.

The race for the jockey’s title remained close, as both leader Ronald “Tiger” Ali and Prayven Badrie scored one win each on the day.