Racing: Captain Peacock displays talent in Derby

Captain Peacock capped one of the more meteoric rises in New Zealand harness racing history by winning the $250,000 New Zealand Derby at Addington last night.

The three-year-old had missed all the early age group races in favour of working his way through the lower grades and it wasn't until his unlucky fifth in the Flying Stakes two weeks ago he was even considered a serious Derby contender.

But his steep improvement curve carried him all the way to the winner's circle last night, thanks in no small way to a perfect trail behind leader Sir Lincoln.

He trailed him throughout and missed all the mid-race pressure before bursting clear up the passing lane to hold out outsider Franco Jamar, who sat three deep on the markers.

Favourite Russley Rascal was a massive third after being pushed back mid-race then storming home, suggesting he may be the best of his crop.

The other hard luck story was Smiling Shard, who worked forward from near last to sit in the one-one but couldn't get clear in the home straight.

Captain Peacock is the first pacing Derby winner for champion driver Mark Jones and would have given trainer Dean Taylor a taste of deja vu.

Jones had steered Waipawa Lad to Taylor's first group one win in the New Zealand Free-For-All three years ago after a similar trip.

"Winning my first Derby is great but it makes it special winning it for Dean because he has been a great supporter of mine," said Jones.

The upset theme of the night continued at Alexandra Park where Canterbury filly Paradise City caused a huge boilover in the $138,000 Caduceus Club Classic. The maiden filly made the most of a great drive from Jamie Keast to hold out Better Cover Lover, who looked the winner at the 200m mark until the southern filly fought back.

The win was the first group one success for Paradise City's trainer Barry Ward, who rarely works more than five horses.

"It is a real buzz to get a group one anywhere but particularly here because I think Alexandra Park has the best racing in the country," said Ward.

The night of feature racing at both Alexandra Park and Addington started well for champion trainers Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.

They won the NZ Trotting Oaks with Emma Hamilton, the Welcome Stakes with Major Mark and the Alex Park heat of the Nevele R series with Lancome.

But luck deserted them in the Derby with Russley Rascal and the Caduceus Club Classic, where Collectable was an unbelievable fourth after being checked early.