4:30 PM By MICHAEL GUERIN
A late betting plunge paid off when 6-1 chance Hail captured the $350,000 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie today.
The 3-year-old gelding was heavily backed in the final minutes before the race and came with a brilliant late run to grab second favourite Sir Clive in the shadows of the post.
Trained at Woodville by Bruce Marsh, who leads the New Zealand trainers' premiership this season, Hail was recording his fourth win from seven starts and is now likely to be set for the rich races at the Sydney autumn carnival.
Hail was ridden by Noel Harris, who was recording his biggest win as a jockey since moving to the Waikato from the Central Districts three years ago.
The favourite for the Derby, Danamite, was fifth after looming up wide to hit the lead at the top of the straight.
Racing: Hail wins NZ Derby
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