Living a Derby dream - By Usman Rangeela I Mirror
Posted on - 01 Feb 2013
Living a Derby dream
There are a couple of young Turks carrying a burning desire to inscribe their names on the roll of honour
By Usman Rangeela
History tells us that the coveted Indian Derby glory was cornered by the Maharajas in the pre and post Independence era and subsequently there have been several business tycoons who have influenced the Blue Riband event.At times,it seems that the racing barons,late Ranjit Bhat,Vijay Mallya,MAM Ramaswamy,Deepak Khaitan and their associates have a virtual monopoly over the Derby.However,there has been an odd Shiven Surendranath and his partner Rajan Bajaj too who were on cloud nine when Velvet Rope did the trick by vanquishing Mystical and Holding Court in 2006.In this years edition,we have a couple of young Turks carrying a burning desire to inscribe their names in the Derby roll of honour.
The duos of Riyad Oomerbhoy and Fareed Karachiwalla,Neville Devlaliwalla and Pavan Seksaria are aiming for their first Derby success with New World and An Acquired Taste respectively. Interestingly,the trainers who have brought them closer to realising their dreams are Faisal Abbas and Altamash Ahmed.
A NEW WORLD
The Oomerbhoy family is well known in the racing circuit as passionate lovers of this sport and Riyads flair for the sport was inherited from his parents who have been flirting with horse-racing for four decades.The Oomerbhoys always believed in buying quality bloodstock irrespective of the price tag.
Although they never got to take a shot at the Derby,the closest that the Oomerbhoys came to winning an Indian Classic was in 1988-89 when filly Roccobarocco lost the 1000 Guineas by a whisker and later went down narrowly to Midnight Madness in the Ladies Derby.This year,their hopes of winning the Derby have been rekindled by a thoroughbred interestingly named New World.
Having closely watched the ecstasy of the Derby winners as also the anguish of the losers,Riyad remains sanguine about New Worlds winning chances but is bullish to a limited extent.Riyad and Fareed received a jolt during the last Pune season when New World played hardball with his handlers by refusing to enter the Pune racecourse for his work regimen.It seemed that it was all over with New Worlds career till he reached Mumbai and reformed himself.Riyad credits the trainer and his staff for bringing about a change in New Worlds temperament.
New Worlds master Faisal Abbas,a third generation horse-trainer,has immense faith in his wards ability but is concerned about his maturity in handling the test of his speed,stamina and temperament.
The final outcome notwithstanding,New Worlds connections are treating themselves with the exhilarating feeling experienced by a select few.
ACQUIRING A TASTE
Unlike Riyad, Neville Devlaliwalla strayed into the sport a few years back and is on a different trip as an owner this year.He recently bought a share in An Acquired Taste,one of the Derby favourites.
Devlaliwalla,an eye-surgeon by profession,certainly has an eye for a good horse.Like many others,Devlaliwalla too dreamt of having his moment in the sun by owning a Derby runner.
Six months ago,he watched An Acquired Taste finish second on debut.What impressed Devlaliwalla was this horses finishing burst which made him track the colts progress closely.
An opportunity of owning half a share in An Acquired Taste presented before Devlaliwalla when the chestnut came under young Altamash Ahmeds charge last monsoon. He did not let go of the opportunity.An Acquired Taste was originally owned by Aap Racing Syndicate of which Paawan Seksaria was a member.
An Acquired Taste lost in his maiden foray in Devlaliwallas silks but was catapulted into Derby reckoning with his Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (where New World ended a close fourth) success recently.Although Ahmed,former jockey Amir Ahmeds grandson,had to sort out fitness issues that hindered An Acquired Tastes prospects,he worked painstakingly to bring him back into classic contention.
Tomorrow we will all know whether lady luck has smiled on either of these young turks when New World and An Acquired Taste match strides with their rivals.New World will have the services of jockey Pat Smullen while An Acquired Taste will be partnered by S John.
Trainer Faisal Abbas (extreme left),owners Rashid and Riyad Oomerbhoy leading New World (Trevor Patel up)
