Alaindair The Great - By Ikram Khan I TNN
Posted on - 03 Feb 2014
ALAINDAIR THE GREAT
Rank Outsider Lands Derby Riches In Record Time
By Ikram Khan | TNN
Mumbai: Smarting under the defeat at the hands of the favourite Murioi in the Indian 2000 Guineas, the Bangalore summer Derby winner Alaindair settled the score in the richest and most glamorous event in the Indian racing calendar, the McDowell Signature Indian Derby, in record time, emerging the best horse on the circuit at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on D-day.
The winner, ignored in the betting ring after he failed to match strides with Murioi in the Indian 2000 Guineas, looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and the decision to engage the experienced Srinath in favour of the young Sandesh who had partnered him in Bangalore, proved to be a master stroke. The top Indian pro produced a splendid effort to register his maiden Indian Derby success.
After the nine colts and the six fillies came under the starter’s flag for the blue riband of the season which offered record stakes of Rs 1.93 crore, the Indian Oaks winner Isn’t She Special hit the front and set a scorching pace all through the back stretch. The no-hoper Archie, playing the role of a pacemaker for his three distinguished stablemates including Jeremiah and Circle Of Life, followed the leader while Srinath chose to travel nice and easy tracking Murioi all the way in the classic 2400M journey.
After the two leaders shot their bolt at the top of the straight, Jeremiah streaked ahead before Murioi seized the initiative and when the race came to a boil, Srinath packed punch on Alaindair and the classy son of Multidimensional from the Usha Stud Farm stormed through to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Starry Eyes finished a game second ahead of Circle Of Life while Murioi took the fourth spot. Alaindair's record effort of 2:28.05 bettered the existing record (2:28.54) registered by the legendary filly Jacqueline in 2010.
“Despite the fact that Murioi established himself as the best, we knew Alaindair had it in him to beat Murioi on D-day. The fact that the staying ability of Murioi was a trifle suspect over the mile-and-half Derby trip and the longer the better it was for Alaindair gave us hope and that proved decisive at the end,” said Nevill, an eye surgeon who loves the sport.
It was dream come true for co-owner Gaurav Sethi and trainer Altamash. “I still can't believe we have won the Derby. Credit to Alaindair and Srinath. The two really made it memorable and this moment is one that I will cherish,” said Gaurav. Srinath, who produced an exemplary effort that provided an object lesson to the young hopefuls donning the skills said: “I knew I was in with a definite chance and the moment I put Alaindair in top gear I was confident that he would gallop to wear the Derby sash.”
For young Altamash, who learned his ropes under the legendary Rashid Byramji, it was the biggest moment of his life and the unassuming pro while lauding the effort of Srinath revealed that his owners played a stellar role in his entry to the Hall Of Fame. A delighted Ameeta Mehra revealed that it was a good team effort. “Multidimensional in his first season has emerged one of the champion sires,” she said.
