Racing fraternity picks O&B - Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 04 Feb 2011
The McDowell Signature Derby 2011 is as fascinating as it has been over the decades. The professionals having been gearing up for the ultimate challenge in Indian racing. Form pundits have been burning the mid-night lamps to arrive at the difficult conclusion of pre-race predictions. For those who know the form and are articulate with the pedigree line, the Derby comes as the biggest game to pick their favorites. Here are some quotes of the people in the know, on who they think will emerge as the ones in the reckoning. Majority go with the dashing colt Ocean And Beyond.
Vivek Jain: The McDowell Signature Indian Derby is unmatched in terms of the day itself. It is a huge event for the city of Mumbai. This year again we have a filly and a colt who have a towering presence in the lineup. I feel Ocean And Beyond is the prime fancy and he is my first chance too. Moonlight Romance is the filly who should pep up the finish.
Gautam Lala: Ocean And Beyond, in my opinion, is the major contender for the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. He is the pick of the lot for me. I think Moonlight Romance will follow him home. I would also keep a close watch on Unleashed, if there ever was an upset.
Farooq Rattonsey: Dear Henry has had his share of problems on fitness. This has hampered his preparation for the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. Having said that, he is a very good horse and I reckon he is as good if not better than my previous two Derby winners – Hotstepper and Antonios. There is more than a flicker of hope that he might run to his potential and give a good account of himself. If he wins, I for one wouldn’t be surprised.
Ashwin Mehta: Ocean And Beyond is the best on sheer class. However, I am not too convinced that he will stay the last furlong of the gruelling trip, which is most crucial. Despite his class, he is a bit vulnerable too. Macchupicchu, Moonlight Romance and Xisca lurk around as valid threats. And if it is going to be a hot pace, I wouldn’t be surprised if O & B is collared in the final furlong.
Pesi Shroff: Ocean And Beyond surely looks the top contender. I have five representing my stables. Batista may be the one to hit the front early. Among the others, Macchupichhu ran within a length of Ocean And Beyond so that makes him a good candidate. Berlusconi on his Pune form was not too far from the Pune Derby winner (O&B). Xisca has done very well in her run of Classics’ success. I am hoping for the best
Cooji Katrak: Moonlight Romance has taken the Oaks race pretty well and I am confident she will run a good race. I am confident that David Allan will do justice astride her.
S K Sunderji: Ocean And Beyond is shaping up very well and I am even more happy with the progress he has made post his Ruia Cup victory. I am confident he will run a big race.
SS Shah: Dear Henry has come on a lot and i am confident that he will give a good account of himself.
Narendra Lagad: Ocean And Beyond is my pick of the lot. The others will have some catching up to do.
Imtiaz Sait: The master craftsman Richard Hughes has chosen to ride Ocean And Beyond confirming my own belief that he is the prime fancy. O & B is performing at his optimum and he looks best prepared too.
Malesh Narredu: My pick on form is Ocean And Beyond. Macchupicchu, Xisca and Moonlight Romance are very good rivals and its going to be a very interesting race to watch.
Faisal Abbas: Everyone has to beat Ocean And Beyond. He is the top contender for me.
Richard Hughes: Ocean And Beyond is in exceptionally good form and I am confident that he will run to my expectations. He is seasoned, knows his job and is in good nick. I have no doubt that he will stay the trip well. He is in great heart and if all goes well, we should come up trumps.
Paul Mulrennan: Sunlight ran a very good second in the Oaks. I have ridden her couple of times in the morning trials and she has promised a lot. She looks like a million dollars at the moment and I feel that she is going to run a great race in the Derby.
C Rajendra: Ocean And Beyond will take a lot of beating. He is the form horse and he will stay the trip.
S Zervan: Coming into the race, Ocean And Beyond stands out as the main contender. He is the one they all have to beat.
