Marc Ruhl

With the late scratching of France's leading contender Juwelier (Wootton Bassett), the path was left clear for domestic hope Hochkonig (Polish Vulcano) and British raider Convergent (Fascinating Rock) to battle out a thrilling finish to Sunday's G1 IDEE 156th Deutsches Derby at Hamburg. The delayed photo verdict heightened the drama and the crowd erupted once Hochkonig was confirmed the short-head winner, with Nina Baltromei becoming the contest's first female rider to celebrate glory. Baltromei employed patient tactics from the outset and settled Hochkonig off the pace in rear for most...