Son of Zarak now a leading contender for the Gr.1 German Derby. Zarak enjoyed a new Group winner and Classic prospect on Sunday when his son Straight blitzed the field to land the Gr.2 Union-Rennen by five lengths, in track record-breaking time. In doing so he defeated the previously unbeaten Group winner Mr Hollywood.

The Gestut Karlshof homebred colt is now favourite for the German Derby, for which this victory marked an important trial.

“He is still a big baby and has not really matured yet, but today's performance was excellent,” said trainer Andreas Wohler. Jockey Jozef Bojko added: “I knew I was sitting on a good horse, and everything went really well for him today. He has kept improving all the time and his last fast work was really good, so I had a good feeling that he would run a good race.”

Karlshof's Holger Faust continued: “We were really relaxed before the race and planned to give him as easy a race as possible by holding him up and making use of his speed. We now have a good feeling for [the Gr.1 Deutsches Derby at] Hamburg, but the Derby is one hell of a mad race.”