IT was the sort of May day that would put a smile on a gravestone. Filming Rodrigo De Triano, the Derby favourite, and his less fancied stable companion Dr Devious in their final big race work at Manton, the famous training yard in Wiltshire.

The important moment, due to catching arty shots of the magnificent country estate in the early morning sunshine, was nearly missed. A one-mile hard-track drive to film the gallop and a 400-yard sprint across grass, long and wide enough for a jumbo jet to land on, turf which has never seen the plough,was the unwelcome crew challenge.

It was worth the breathless dash.

Dr Devious beat his work mate by the length of the King's Road. It was rare in those days to be invited to film work. A respectful distance for camera was simple manners as trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam was debriefed by John Reid, the ecstatic jockey

Crew were beyond earshot but NOT the unrelenting microphone. "He is so well balanced he could turn on a sixpence." A deeply significant comment given the undulations of Epsom's switchback racecourse.

Two weeks in an edit suite beckoned on our return to the studio with our gold dust film.

"This is going to be a long fortnight so we will start on the right note by backing the Derby winner, NOW."

Dr Devious was available at 16/1 to win at Epsom.

"How much should I put on?" asked the editor nervously.

"How much do you want to win?" was the reply.

On June 2nd, just after 3.30pm, Dr Devious won the 1992 Epsom Derby.