ELLERSLIE’S showpiece event, the NZ$1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby, had its script torn up as Crown Prosecutor defied his more fancied rivals to land the 2,400-metre Group 1 at odds of 105/1.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was more hopeful than confident heading into the race with the Medaglia D’Oro colt. A Group 3 winner over 1,600 metres at his fourth start to break his maiden in November, having debuted in October, Crown Prosecutor’s advantage was fitness.