Zafonic doesn't Fear competition in E.A. Derby final
The 64th Betfair East Anglian Derby semi-finals were run at Yarmouth this weekend, producing surprising results. Fear Zafonic, trainer Charlie Lister’s derby favourite, looked excellent in the second semi-final, but the first semi-final saw two longshots qualify for the final.
Union Jak Jakson was the 11-4 race favourite, but a poor start and a force into the middle of the pack contributed to his fifth place finish. Roo Come On, a 10-1 longshot, took first place instead, 2 lengths ahead of Ten Large Down. Also qualifying for the final in third place was Ocean Star, another longshot at 12-1.
Eliminated from the E.A. Derby along with Union Jak were Lainedans Flyer in fourth, and Lenson Bolt in sixth. Both entered the race with 3-1 odds, and were expected to challenge for a spot in the final.
Fear Zafonic was the 8-13 race favourite of the second semi-final, and did not disappoint, taking lead from the traps and winning the race by 5 ¾ lengths over Chicago Prince. Prince was a 10-1 longshot, and will now be one of three surprising entrants in the final. Seamus Cahill’s hound, Guinness Time, also qualified for the final, finishing in third place, 1 ½ lengths behind Prince.
Two longshots were eliminated, Jackdaw Summer (20-1), and Reluctant (10-1) finished in fifth and sixth spots respectively. Yahoo Jamie finished fourth.
The final will be run on Thursday, September 16. Zafonic has won his last six races, and will likely win the E.A. Derby final with such a large number of longshots comprising the field. Guinness Time has only won one of his last six races, but has finished in second place four times. Look for Guinness to challenge for second place against Ten Large Down, who has also only won one race recently, but has not finished worse than second in his last five races.
Fear Zafonic won last year’s E.A. Derby for Lister, who recorded his record-setting 10th derby victory. Last year, Lister was responsible for three of the six entrants in the final. He only has one entrant this year, but it will be a surprise if Lister doesn’t win his 11th E.A. Derby title.
Draw for the Betfair East Anglian Derby Final: 1 Roo Come On, 2 Guinness Time, 3 Fear Zafonic, 4 Ten Large Down, 5 Chicago Prince, 6 Ocean Star (w).
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