A bonanza on the anvil for the Indian Derby - By Vinayak Zodge | The Hindu
Posted on - 01 Feb 2017
The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby is the richest and most prestigious event held on the first Sunday of February every year here at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. Since its inception in 1943 the Indian Derby has had its share of all that which makes racing one of the best supported spectator sports in the world.
This edition, will mark the 75th running of this plum event which has a total prize money of over Rs. 3 crore, with the winner's purse crossing the Rs. 2 crore mark, which is the richest ever payout.
The weekend carnival will feature evening racing on Saturday (Feb. 4) and day racing won Sunday (Feb. 5).
Another added attraction for the punters on the Derby day will be the carried forward amount of Rs. 21,63,433, being part of the unsolved Jackpot pool brought forward from the current Mumbai season and a contribution gross amount of Rs. 8,92,857 by the Madras Race Club, aggregating to Rs. 30,56,290. This will be added to the Combined second Jackpot Pool Collection on Sunday.
In a major policy decision last week, the RWITC Committee announced a compulsory levy of Rs. 200 for Members of the Club for entry (including a mobile phone) into the Members enclosure, Rs. 500 as entry-cum-phone for guests entering the Members enclosure, and Rs. 150 as a voluntary mobile phone charge in the First enclosure. The RWITC Committee announced, this will be tried on an experimental basis, and if the move results in a fall in revenue, the decision will be reviewed. The new charges, which will be the same for off course days, will come into effect from Feb. 4, 2017.
Among the 14 contestants the present record of two Bangalore based runners — Sergeant At Arms and Hall Of Famer — look imposing. Trainer Suleiman Attaollahi's colt Sergeant At Arms has already added multi classics to his tally. Out of the eight starts he faced only one defeat to Ice Glacier in the Mysore Derby. He won the Indian 2000 Guineas and Ruia Cup (2000m) in style recently.
The S. Padmanabhan trained grey filly Hall Of Famer, who decimated rivals in the Kolkata Derby (2,400m), poses a serious threat.
Apart from this top duo Pesi Shroff's ward Temerity has proved her mettle by winning the Indian Oaks in a decisive manner after a setback in the Indian 1000 Guineas.
Vishal Gaikwad trained Germanicus, who breezed home in the Golconda Derby Stakes at Hyderabad last Sunday, puts himself in contention too for the coveted event.
