PAST THE POST - A REVIEW OF THE KINGFISHER ULTRA INDIAN DERBY 2019 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 06 Feb 2019
PAST THE POST – A REVIEW OF THE KINGFISHER ULTRA INDIAN DERBY 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
The air was thick with excitement, anticipation and speculation on the afternoon of Sunday the 3rd of February 2019 as there was an air of mystery and doubt surrounding this year’s renewal of the Premier Event of the Season – The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby with many questions arising about the principal contenders. Would the galloping grey – the unbeaten Sir Cecil show up at his best with all the rumours surrounding him ever since the Indian 2000 Guineas. It had been 48 days since his last run which was the longest gap from racing for a Derby winner and his training had definitely been interrupted and his preparation was not ideal. His connections obviously hoped that his class would see him through. Would Star Superior stay the additional 400M and was this his chance to finally turn the tables on his arch rival ? Would Adjudicate replicate her efficient ruthlessness which she had displayed in the Kolkotta classics and upset the colts ? Would a complete outsider choose this day to claim his moment of glory and defy the experts just as Rochester had done last year ?
The moment had finally arrived and the large field of 14 were being paraded in the paddock under the eagle eye of the punters all rushing to select their personal favourites. As usual Star Superior stood out in the paddock and was rightly adjudged the Best Turned Out Horse. Amongst the others, Pioneer and Sacred Roman also looked very well as did the filly Adjudicate who had really filled out since the last time she was seen in Western India. A loud cheer greeted the runners as they made their way onto the track and circled behind the starting gates waiting to be loaded. The excitement in the air was quite palpable as the runners began to be loaded one by one. Sir Cecil was still the clear favourite quoted at odds of even money with Adjudicate next in demand but available at 4 ¼ and Star Superior the only other horses in single digits quoted at 8/1. There was drama right at the start as Vintage refused to raise a gallop after jumping out from the gates and was left behind with the other runners breaking evenly and it was Valegro who was pushed to get to the front and set up a good pace to Sacred Roman racing in 2nd. Sir Cecil as usual was well up with the pace and was settled into 3rd spot by David Allan with the royal blue colours of rank outsider Augustus Caesar racing in 4th. Improving up on the outside to race in 5th spot was Star Superior with Pioneer on his inside. 2 lengths away came the first of the fillies Merlot being tracked on the outside by Adjudicate. Mr. Handsome was making some progress on the outside to improve a couple of places followed by Tasawwur. Bluebell was towards the rear of the field at this stage along with Eyes For You with the grey Bushtops last of all and held up for a late surge. Valegro kept up the gallop and approached the turn with a 4 length advantage over Sacred Roman now just being niggled along to improve by Y.S. Srinath with Sir Cecil moving up to press him for 2nd on the outside. These three were about 5-6 lengths clear of Augustus Caesar off the bridle with Star Superior still travelling strongly under Suraj Narredu. Adjudicate had improved rapidly as well but was being pushed along by Sandesh with Mr. Handsome on her outside and Bluebell again coming in very wide. Pioneer and Merlot were the next two as they wheeled around and straightened up to the roar from the crowd. Valegro entered the straight first but came under pressure with Sir Cecil gradually eating into the lead and Star Superior now putting in a powerful run down the outside to come and join the fray as the old rivals once again looked set to do battle. However, this time Sir Cecil had no response and it was Star Superior who surged into the lead passing the 300M marker with Adjudicate moving into 3rd, Valegro and Sacred Roman trying to stay on down the inside and the rest looking to be struggling. Star Superior stretched right away to establish a commanding lead and could be called the winner a long way from home, proving all his detractors wrong and romping home by a brilliant 5 lengths. Adjudicate finished on to be the best of the rest ending up a clear 2nd while for once, Sir Cecil had no response and kept on to end up a disappointing 3rd. Sacred Roman stayed on at the one pace past the tiring pacemaker to make the frame in 4th just ahead of the late finishing Pioneer who ended a respectable 5th having his first run since the Pune Derby.
The duel which we had expected did not materialize as Sir Cecil was clearly feeling his legs and was not at his best but take nothing away from the winner who put in a tremendous performance and fully deserved his moment in the sun. Adjudicate put in another brave effort, acquitting herself commendably but the winner was in a different zone and was clearly the best horse on the day. Sir Cecil still managed to end up 3rd which is a tribute to his class and determination but David Allan dismounted immediately after passing the post and he was led back riderless. No doubt more news will filter through in the next few days but this most likely will be the end of his season. Sacred Roman appeared to stay but was simply not in this league and while he should mature into a strong staying type, he is some way behind the principals although he still has scope to improve. Pioneer, having his first start since the Pune Derby ran commendably in the circumstances and is likely to improve for the run. The fillies showed that they were not upto the level of the colts as the 2nd 3rd and 4th in the Oaks all finished well beaten.
A glorious day for the Poonawalla family who won this prestigious race in their colours after a long time and it was a first Derby win for Rajesh Narredu and Excellent Art while Suraj claimed his 2nd derby success after Be Safe and gave the colt a supremely confident ride. In the end it proved to be a day when the “Star” asserted his “Superiority” over the rest and claimed the crown of Champion in a fitting manner.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
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