Be Safe's opportunity to justify his lofty reputation - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 30 Jan 2015
Be Safe's opportunity to justify his lofty reputation
By Tom Krish
Another Derby is upon us. A Grade I contest, the new nomenclature is the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. A generous sponsorship deal from Dr Vijay Mallya has put India’s showcase racing event on a strong footing. The 2015 edition will have 13 runners answering the starter’s call and the cynosure of all eyes will be the Dr M A M Ramaswamy-owned Be Safe.
Soon after the post positions were drawn, the probable odds on the Derby participants were given. Be Safe was offered at 55/100. The word ‘cramped’ would be an understatement. A winner of eight races from nine starts, Be Safe is the one to beat despite a marginal fear that the 2400-metre Derby trip may expose his only vulnerability. The fact of the matter is that horse races are not decided on paper. A race has to be run to determine the winner. Be Safe, no matter how strong his credentials are, has to run in and win the Derby. Lofty reputations are earned with considerable effort but such reputations are sustained by consistency, character and the willingness to take on new challenges.
A word or two about Be Safe and the Derby distance. Based on what we have seen so far, there is no reason to think that Be Safe will be found wanting. In the Ruia Cup, when asked by NeerajRawal, the Mallesh Narredu-trained colt, responded with tremendous alacrity. What about the ‘jinx’ element? I do not subscribe to it but I respect those who believe in it. I have seen Be Safe in many of his victories and the turn of foot he has displayed can safely be put in the ‘deadly’ category. In The Bangalore Derby, Be Safe handled soft grass in the manner of a seasoned veteran. Many a writer has referred to ‘armor chinks’ and I have not found one despite a diligent search.
Post one may cause a pause. Leaving from the fence at Mahalakshmi will offer extra benefits. It affords the luxury of a ground-saving trip. The Derby is a two-turn journey and the long Mahalakshmi stretch will in no way pose a problem for Be Safe. I may be permitted to use the expression ‘contenders will be separated from the pretenders’ and I believe this will happen with the field having 800 metres to run.
Suraj Narredu, a cerebral rider who has been learning his lessons well, will be on Be Safe. It is a partnership that is yet to be tested. A jockey whose primary trait, from what I have observed, is the ability to manage pressure and exercise good decision-making skills, Suraj will do what needs to be done in the circumstances. With the wisdom provided by Mallesh Narredu, there will be no dearth of good advice.
Mallesh Narredu is triple-handed in the Signature Derby. Be Safe’s key adversary, in the opinion of many, is Quasar. The son of Seeking The Dia was a going-away winner in the Pune Derby. After putting the Kolkata 2000 Guineas in his bag, Quasar, as his name exemplifies, sparkled in the Kolkata Derby. Fourteen days later, Quasar, despite a slow pace and a spot of trouble, rose to the occasion in the Hyderabad Derby. That was another piece of evidence that good horses know how to win and produce enough to get the job done.
Mallesh Narredu tells me that there is another Quasar racing in Argentina. It is indeed a coincidence that the Argentinian Quasar is also sired by Seeking The Dia. The Indian Quasar has been given a task of a tall order. Three 2400-metre races in 21 days and that is what Quasar needs to tackle. He has the heart and he has the form. Given last year’s form, Quasar has something to find on Be Safe.
The General is the third horse from Mallesh Narredu’s yard. It is difficult to be optimistic. Yash Naredu, only 17, gets his Derby ride. May we all take a moment to reflect that Yash received his license and started plying his trade in the summer of 2014 at Bangalore.
“I am thrilled to be the trainer of this year’s Derby favorite,” said Mallesh Narredu. “Dr M A M gave me three horses to train and Be Safe, as my good fortune would have it, was one of them. After Be Safe won his first race, I realized that he was very special. He has been training according to plan. I cannot be more pleased,” Mallesh continued.
We talked about instructions for Suraj. “Dr M A M has told me that he would leave everything to me. Suraj can make good decisions and I get involved only with a back-up plan, if any. Suraj understands Be Safe perfectly.” Mallesh averred.
The subject turned to Quasar. “After the Kolkata Derby, the Hyderabad trip was an after thought. Looking back, it was a sound plan. Quasar’s owners wanted to take a shot at the McDowell Derby. It is understandable. Quasar is a horse who takes to travel well. He is happy and absolutely ready,” Mallesh concluded.
Bold Majesty, winner of the Bangalore Derby, has a record that demands respect. However, the McDowell Derby puts him in deeper waters and it will be absolutely necessary for Bold Majesty to elevate his game to unprecedented levels.
Congressional is an outsider and has so much on his plate that it is difficult to make a case for him.
His Highness will go postward. A cursory glance will reveal he has a mountain to climb.
Illidan, sired by the precocious Intense Focus, is yet to attain ‘star’ status and may be regarded as a long-priced runner.
Shivalik Showers has not reached that point in his career where he may be expected to make a bold bid.
Shivalik Storm may not attract much attention but he holds the distinction of beating Be Safe in the 2014 Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million. The Katrak-trained Shivalik Storm has failed to match Be Safe’s upward curve and at best, is an outsider.
Top Commander, the third runner from the M A M camp, is likely to be used to ensure a good pace.
Aquamarine was third in the Oaks and is being asked to take on some giant four year-olds. She is by Mastercraftsman. I had the pleasure of seeing Mastercraftsman race in England and Ireland in 2008 and 2009. Mastercraftsman, an Aidan O’Brien trainee, ended Arazan’s win streak at the Curragh in a Group I race.
Tatiana ran second to Tiger Tops in the Oaks. It was a case of Tatiana heading the beaten brigade.
We now come to Tiger Tops. A daughter of Tiger Hill, a very productive German horse at the turn of the century, Tiger Tops gave Quasar a big fight in the Kolkata Derby. A week later, she toyed with the girls in the Oaks. The quick-thinking ColmO’Donoghue, for whom I have a great deal of respect, will steer the Pesi Shroff-trained Tiger Tops.
I have no doubt that the Derby will be a fast-paced race. The connections of the primary contenders seem aware of the importance of what I want to call a pace that is honest. Tiger Tops figures to be on top or close to it. She is bound to have company on the front end. Be Safe and Quasar, held up early, should be within four or five lengths off the front turning for home. The best of horses run at top speed for 200 metres or less. It is the timing of the challenge and the position from which it begins are things you need to consider. At best, it is an exercise fraught with peril. One gets a better sense of this endeavor as one continues to practice the art.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
