Pastorius proved that his win in the Deutsches Derby (Ger-I) wasn’t a fluke when he sailed to an eight-length victory over older rivals in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis-Bayeriches Zuchtrennen (Ger-I) in Munich July 29.
The victory was the second straight group I win for the son of Soldier Hollow, who has now notched three wins in six career starts for trainer Mario Hofer. Unlike the Deutsches Derby, where he was dismissed at 31-1 odds, Pastorius was sent off the 3-1 second choice this time behind Zazou, an Italian group I winner that had finished a good fifth in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
At the start it was last year’s winner, Durban Thunder that went to the lead. Jockey Andrasch Starke was content to let Pastorius rate just off the pace in third, as Zazou settled in at the back of the field early.
Durban Thunder continued to lead throughout the early stages of the race. With two furlongs left to run, Starke asked Pastorius for a bit more and the German Derby winner responded, charging past the frontrunners and taking command.
Zazou attempted to go with him but was no match for the 3-year-old as Pastorius continued to open up throughout the final furlong, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner.
Durban Thunder re-rallied to take second by a half-length over Zazou, with Waldpark another half-length back in fourth. Final time for the 10 furlongs was 2:12.04 over soft going.
After the race Hofer told reporters that the Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-I) five weeks from now would be his colt’s next goal.
Pastorius was bred in Germany by Franz Prinz von Auersperg and Florian Haffa, and races for Stall Antanando. He is out of Princess Li, a winning daughter of Monsun.