KEY POINTS:
Vinny Colgan was the centre of attention for all the right - and momentarily wrong - reasons following the running of the $700,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie yesterday.
Colgan recorded his fourth victory in New Zealand's premier 3-year-old event when teaming with Australian-trained colt Redoute's Dancer. His earlier wins were with Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997) and Hades (1999).
However sensation followed when it was alleged Colgan used a "silver device" while winning the race.
Lisa Cropp, the rider of runner-up Mettre En Jeu, alleged she saw Colgan hand the device to senior jockey Noel Harris, rider of third-placed Uberalles, when returning to scale after the race.
However, stewards and racecourse inspector John McKenzie decided after viewing videos of the alleged incident that there was no evidence to support Cropp's serious allegation.
Uncertainty reigned for some time, with media not permitted to hear the allegations as they are for a normal race protest. It took nearly 30 minutes for Redoute's Dancer to be confirmed as the winner of the race.
Colgan and Harris were unhappy to have been tainted with the allegation, particularly the veteran Harris.
"It's ludicrous, unbelievable," Harris said. "I've ridden for 35 years and had nearly 2000 winners in my career and to face false allegations like this is ridiculous.
"It was right in front of the clerk of the course. Why would I do something like that?"
Colgan was not going to let anything detract from his moment of Group One winning glory.
"I shook hands with Noel when we were coming back in towards the birdcage and I'll just leave it at that concerning that stuff," said Colgan.
"Gee, he's an amazing colt as he felt so strong and was trucking into the race a long way from home.
"He felt as good as he did a couple of weeks ago when winning the Championship Stakes here at Ellerslie.
"He just keeps rolling during the race and I got a nice cart into it on the home turn and he lengthened out nicely," Colgan said.
The Group One victory was Colgan's first since Justa Tad won the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in 2005 and the satisfaction was written over Colgan's face after the race.
The former leading apprentice jockey has struggled to link with a high-profile stable recently but yesterday's victory was a timely reminder of his riding skills.
"To win a Group One race is in itself very satisfying, but this one is pretty special for me. I'm hoping it'll attract the interests of a few trainers."
Colgan is not a big fan of winter racing in New Zealand and is waiting to hear if his riding licence has been approved to compete in Singapore.
Redoute's Dancer powered away from his age group rivals in the home stretch to post a half-length victory over Mettre Em Jeu. A further three-quarters of a length away in third position was Uberalles.
The second favourite Magic Cape battled into ninth position, just under six lengths from the winner, but failed to make ground when it mattered in the home stretch after racing back in the field.
Redoute's Dancer was produced in stunning order by trainer Tim Martin. Most of the conditioning work on the colt was supervised by New Zealand staff member and outstanding horseman Maurice Campbell.
