Shivalik Hero ready to win on the big stage - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 02 Feb 2013
Shivalik Hero ready to win on the big stage
By Tom Krish
As I type this text in a room in the National Sports Authority, the window in my room provides me a clear view of morning activity at Mahalakshmi. Horses are being exercised and it is 6 45 AM on Saturday. The Mumbai haze cuts visibility down considerably and it is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. It is about 20 C and feels cold and you would be wise to step outside with a light jacket. On Saturday, the forecast calls for a 31/21 C high/low and a sunny day. The sun will be shining on Sunday too and the high/low will be 32/22 C. How can you ask for better racing weather?
Moments after the Indian 2000 Guineas, Machiavellianism was my early pick for the Derby. The son of Jazil was held up and devoured ground when let loose to win going away. The Ruia trip was anything but incident-free and the Vittal Deshmukh trainee finished on to take third. From post 10, jockey P S Chouhan has several options. The two elements that will be critical to Machiavellianism will be the pace of the race and the time he is asked to make a run. About his getting the 2400-metre trip, I have no doubt but I have heard widespread dissent.
An Acquired Taste, a Strong Contender progeny, was extremely impressive in the 2000-metre Ruia. He showed high promise last summer and may be getting his act together. Trainer Ahmed listed his ward’s physical problems in a chat with me. He is, however, hopeful that his charge will put his best foot forward on Sunday. In the Ruia, An Acquired Taste stayed in the vanguard, got a dream run with a covered-up trip and had enough when challenged. From draw 16, there will be extra work to do and that dampens my enthusiasm.
Shivalik Hero’s main strength has been his consistency. Rebuttal, Shivalik Hero’s sire, is not mentioned with a glitter in the eye as Jazil and Strong Contender. Malesh Narredu’s pupil was second in the Pune Derby, played the bridesmaid role in the 2000 Guineas and found one better in the Ruia. The quick-thinking ColmO’Donoghue is aboard the Dr M A M-owned four year-old. Post nine provides a platform from which Colm can initiate many kinds of moves. Most importantly, Shivalik Hero can race close to the top and build a cushion turning for home when the cavalry charge begins.
Wind Stream has been a revelation. His record in the South entitles him to a great deal of respect. Martin Dwyer, winner of the Epsom and Indian Derbies, was effusive in his praise of Wind Stream’s work and his condition. It is not easy to earn Martin’s approval. Post 17 puts the brakes on my fervor. Yes, Big Brown, in 2008, won the Kentucky Derby from draw 20 in a 20-horse field. He went a sixteenth of a mile extra but Big Brown’s superiority was such that he got an encore in the Preakness unextended.
Snowscape was dominant as a freshman. As a sophomore, the China Visit colt, suffered a reverse or two before treating his rivals with contempt in the Kolkata Derby in mid -January. You are judged by the company you keep. Snowscape needs to be judged by the company that he beat. The manner of winning was impressive but Snowscape beat a Borsalino in declining form and a Silverina who was a shadow of what she was in the Kolkata Oaks. Trainer Vijay Singh has brushed aside suggestions that Snowscape lacks depth. My belief is that Snowscape has to elevate his game more than a level.
Caesar’s Star is the son an Epsom Derby winner, Sir Percy. The Jodha-trained Caesar’s Star has been exposed to the Derby trip. He is fit. Silvestre de Sousa comes from Dubai to ride. There is a mountain to climb but after all, this is horse racing.
Angel Crown does not belong to the Derby league. Honest Pleasure is overmatched. Hemisphere and New World have to find so much more that the possibility seems remote.
Commander, since his Pune exploits, has been a step or two behind coming up to the Derby. Borsalino showed his tremendous fondness for a soft track in the summer Bangalore Derby. His brilliance has been blunted when the track has been firm.
Maximus has beaten Machiavellianism in big theatre but is yet to show he can reproduce such high level of form whenever needed. Montezuma, to be ridden by S Zervan, is one of the outsiders.
Super Storm has a record that demands a long look. The Satish Narredu-trained Super Storm was second in the Bangalore Derby on Republic Day. The travel and the schedule put him at a distinct disadvantage. Jimmy Fortune rides Super Storm.
Song Dynasty did enough in the Indian Oaks and that has prompted her connections to take their chances in the Derby. Winds Of Fortune has won two races in high style but is in much deeper waters on Sunday. The pace of progress has not given her enough time to step up. The toughness of the task needs no further elaboration.
My choice..I’ll take Shivalik Hero to deliver for Dr M A M and give Malesh Narredu his first Derby victory and ColmO’Donoghue his second win in India’s Blue Riband. Shivalik Hero is not deficient in his early foot and can get position. Colm can have his mount placed so as to stay covered up. In terms of readiness, Shivalik Hero is trained to the minute. The problem that caused the erratic running in the Ruia has been corrected. I am a believer in ‘nothing succeeds like success.”Dr M A M has won four classics in a matter of weeks. His good luck is yet to run its full course.
Machiavellianism has been brilliant when he has fired. In the Ruia, he had a spot of trouble. He has a deadly stretch charge. He is my second pick.
Snowscape has the fence, an advantage in any horse race. He may just be good enough to manage a major slice of the pie.
