I have given every small owner hope - By Shailendra Awasthi | TNN
Posted on - 03 Feb 2014
‘I have given every small owner hope’
By Shailendra Awasthi | TNN
Mumbai: At the draw ceremony when Alaindair’s owner Nevill Devlaliwalla was asked about his horse’s chances in the Indian Derby since the same horse had finished second to Murioi in the Indian 2000 Guineas, 38-year-old had said, “2000 Guineas was an aberration, we will correct it in the Derby.” The ophthalmologist from Prabhadevi indeed lived upto his words when Alainadir smashed the star studded field in the Indian Derby at the Mahalaxmi racecourse on Sunday.
“It is a dream come true and I am enjoying every bit of it, this is what every owner hopes and it pleases me to know that I have given every small owner and every small yard hope that we too can win the big races, which is very important for the sport,” Devlaliwalla told TOI.
Alaindair, which means Alexander in Irish, stunned all when he galloped with giants strides in the last 200 metres to score a sensational victory. “In the last part only Murioi and Circle Of Life were in front of me and the way my horse was responding prompted me to go for it,” said jockey YS Srinath who landed his first-ever Indian Derby crown after being beaten as a favourite astride Pronto Pronto in the same race two years back. “I had four choices but I picked Alaindair to ride,” informed the 38-year-old.
Alaindair was actually bought by Amitabh Parekh in 2012 from Usha Stud, known to produce champions. But before he could make the full payment he died in December the same year. Parekh had kept Alaindair with trainer Altamaash Ahmed at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. While Usha Stud was looking for new owners to get full payments on their horses, Devlaliwalla picked Alaindair who later won the Colts Championship and summer Derby in Bangalore last July to establish himself as the frontline contender for the Indian classics.
Credit also goes to trainer Altamaash for maintaining the champion in shape and form and 32-year-old was duly rewarded with his first Indian Derby success.
‘AN EXCELLENT DAY’
Vivek Jain, chairman of RWITC, was a delighted man. “It was an excellent day with 25,000 plus in attendance. Great racing, entertainment, the vintage car drive to the track. A perfect advertisement for the sport and club,” Jain told TOI.
