The Gr 1 S A Derby produced a heart-stopping finish - and some post-race drama - as Pomodoro (SAF) and Royal Bencher (SAF) crossed the line as one after a titanic battle over the last 400m. With TV replays indicating the two could not be split, the judge agreed and a dead-heat was declared. Brooks-Club (SAF) was close-up in third with Zambucca (SAF) staying on for fourth.

Blaze Of Fire was soon in front but was passed by The Club King who went out to ensure a solid gallop and opened up a lead of some seven or eight lengths. Ice Trigger settled in third ahead of Changing Moon, Royal Bencher and Zambucca. Brooks-Club sat in midfield ahead of Pomodoro and Wagner with E-Jet and Perigrine further back and Silver Flyer and Baracah bringing up the rear.

The Club King was soon under pressure in the straight and was swallowed by the chasing pack. Royal Bencher moved up to take the lead in the centre of the course as Pomodoro made up ground quickly, going for a run down the inside. Brooks-Club also emerged as a threat wider out and it became a three-horse race from about 400m out with E-Jet the only other one looking a threat, having come from well back.

Brooks-Club was the first to crack from the trio up front and Royal Bencher looked the likely winner entering the last 100m. Pomodoro was not done for yet, however, and he responded to Gavin Lerena's (pictured) frantic urgings with a final desperate lunge which, in the end, proved decisive and earned him a share of the spoils.

The finish was as dramatic as one could have hoped for, especially for a stayers' event but there was more to come. The head-on footage showed that both runners had made contact as they crossed the line, although it was not entirely clear if blame could be apportioned to one over the other. The stipendiary stewards objected on behalf of Royal Bencher but this was eventually over-ruled and the dead-heat was allowed to stand.

In the end, justice was probably done as both horses had run their hearts out and it would have been tough on either one to have lost.

Pomodoro contested all three legs of the Triple Crown and, following a below-par effort in the Gauteng Guineas, came within a whisker of winning the S A Classic. He came into the race as one of the proven class acts of the race but with stamina doubts which he duly dispelled here. He'll probably be even better when dropping back a couple of furlongs and there was a lot to like about his courage under pressure, as he looked a beaten horse 50m from the line.

Royal Bencher  is progressive and had been looking better with each step up in trip. This was his toughest task to date and he rose to the occasion with aplomb. He went for home quite early and could well have thrown in the towel in the frantic final stages but he stuck resolutely to his guns. He's relatively unexposed and there may well be more to come.

Brooks-Club finished off his Triple Crown bid with his reputation enhanced, having gone close in all three legs. He just ran out of gas in the last 100m, having threatened the eventual winners for a long way, but his supporters got a fair run for their money.

Zambucca had scored a fluent win in the Derby Trial but this was always going to be a much tougher task. He was beaten by three good horses with genuine classic form behind them so this wasn't a bad effort by any means.

POMODORO (SAF):

3 b c Jet Master - Golden Apple by Northern Guest (USA)
Owner: Mr C J H Van Niekerk
Bred by Mr C J H Van Niekerk

Winning trainer: Sean Tarry

ROYAL BENCHER (SAF):

3 b g Greys Inn (USA) - Roman Circus by Caesour (USA)
Mr M C Gerber
Bred by Varsfontein Stud

Winning trainer: Alec Laird