Varried Choices Builds Up Suspence for Derby - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 03 Feb 2012
Varried Choices Builds Up Suspence for Derby
By Mahendra Mallya
The McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby (Gr 1) is one race that generates the adrenalin flow days before the event, building up a synergy amongst people long before the race day. The D day of course, is a frenzy with the apprehension beginning right from the dressing room as to what to sport on the day. The expectations are soaring, the atmosphere electrifying, and the excitement is felt in the air. The horses in the fray are the real stars as they line up for the biggest race of their careers. A thoroughbred gets only one crack at the Derby in a lifetime. It’s that huge! A race of a lifetime! The speculations then, will be aplenty. The experts on the subject churn out theories and calculations, past records and recent form, pedigrees and bloodlines, jockeys and draw numbers to forecasting the pace and braving to pronounce their personal fancies. If one gets it right, one has a lot to thump the chest and claim- “I told you so.” However, the good thing is, there is no embarrassment whatsoever even if one’s predictions go horribly wrong. That’s accepted and quickly forgotten. Here are a few quips from some of people who matter on what they feel on the chances of the horses in the fray.
Vivek Jain: It is a very competitive race and singling out a particular fancy is difficult. It appears to be between In The Spotlight and Pronto Pronto. The upset could be Ranthambhore or Star Marquess.
Z S Poonawalla: In one sentence – In The Spotlight, will be in the spotlight. Get that?
K N Dhunjibhoy: I feel the colts have a better chance and I hope Picasso will run a big race.
Vijay Shirke: Pronto Pronto and Hills And Stars should be involved in an interesting finish. I hope Hills and Stars wins only because my thoughts are with Vinayak. I am not convinced that the others in the fray will stay the trip although Smashing won the oaks impressively. The Derby is a different ball game and Smashing will have to scale higher levels which I think is difficult. I sincerely hope that Hills And Stars does it for Vinayak.
Adar Poonawalla: We feel that the Derby trip is most suited for Hills And Stars and we are very hopeful of winning it.
Zeyn Mirza: We are bullish with Smashing. Her Oaks victory was attractive and she is feeling well too after that run. I was particularly impressed with her strong finish and I don’t see why she won’t reproduce that run again.
Mohit Lalvani: It takes a very special horse to win the Colts Trial, Bangalore Summer Derby and the Indian 2000 Guineas. There’s very little in Pronto Pronto’s pedigree to suggest that he is mile and a half horse but his report card clearly outweighs his lineage. The fillies too will run a big race.
Imtiaz Sait: Pronto Pronto is an ordinary looking horse with an extraordinary heart. He doesn’t seem to know how to lose. Pronto Pronto and Srinath have struck an incredible alliance and Srinath knows him as well as he knows himself. I am very optimistic.
Narendra Lagad: In my opinion, In The Spotlight is the filly to watch out for. Her Calcutta Derby win was exceptional. Pronto Pronto too is a strong contender. I am praying for Hills And Stars to do well as that would be a great thing for my friend and fellow-trainer Vinayak.
Magansingh Jodha: I am happy for Adhiraj as having a Derby contender in just one year into training is a good thing to experince. His ward Ranthambhore is in great heart as witnessed in his last victory. I am hoping we will provide an interesting finish.
Rehanullah Khan: In The Spotlight is a very versatile filly and she has done nothing wrong so far. She is a very strong galloper and maintains this throughout the race. She is a strong contender. Pronto Pronto is the other one among the colts that is very much in the reckoning.
Zadmal Singh: It is an open race with no outright pre-race favourite. I think Pronto Pronto, Hills And Stars will be involved in the finish.
Malesh Narredu: Hills And Stars for me. She is a top class filly. She is a light filly hence, she has been raced sparingly. The rest after the Guineas would have done her a world of good. The Derby trip should suit her more and I think Hills And Stars is the one they all have to beat.
Adhiraj Jodha: I am happy with the way Ranthambhore is progressing. I was pleasantly surprised at the manner of his victory over a mile. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to win so aggressively and this victory has given me a lot of confidence in him. I have sent him on gallops over longer distances and I can tell you, he will stay the Derby trip.
Richard Hughes: Hills And Stars is shaping up very well and she stays well and prefers longer trips which is most important. She has had good lot of time to regroup herself and she is now ready for the fray. The horse to beat however, is Pronto Pronto and I now know how. Hills And Stars has shown some spunk of late and I am happy with the way she will turn out.
Martin Dwyer: It was Paddy’s decision that I ride In The Spotlight, I have a good equation with the filly. She is in great heart and her performance in the Calcutta Derby was supreme. I am confident that she will run a good race. Field Marshal too is very much in the reckoning.
Anthony Crastus: Smashing was a totally different filly in the Oaks. She showed plenty of brilliance. She is peaking at the right time. I think I have to beat Picasso to win the Derby. It’s not going to be as easy as the Oaks, but I am confident she will do very well.
Stephane Pasquier: Picasso was way below his best in the Guineas and now he is training brilliantly. I was particularly satisfied with his mock race. Picasso win run a big race.
David Allan: Field Marshal has worked very well and he is much better equipped now with his run in the Ruia Cup. I am optimistic with the way he has progressed in training post that run. In The Spotlight too is shaping up well as a strong contender.
C Rajendra: I feel it will be a close finish between In The spotlight, Pronto Pronto, Smashing and Hills And Stars. This makes a formidable quartet. The others will have to gallop out of their skins to beat these four who are closely matched.
P S Chouhan : In The Spotlight is in rousing form and her streak of victories coming into the McDowell Indian Derby proves she has greast credentials. Her Calcutta Derby victory in particular was spectacular.Star Marquess bears watching too, he ran a good prep and looks in great shape.
C D Hayes: Star Marquess was right up there fighting till the end. That was a good run for me. He has further improved and he could spring a surprise. He is in fine trim.
Neeraj Rawal: Ranthambhore’s victory was thundering and that brings him right into the reckoning. It would be a great moment for Adhiraj as a young trainer to have Ramthambhore represent his stables. His victory was indeed very impressive, and if the luck is favourable, he could upset.
Deepak Rajpal: In The Spotlight has done nothing wrong. She is in sublime touch and getting better with each run. Picasso and Pronto Pronto are two outstanding contenders who could make the finish interesting.
Finally, my own view is that Hills And Stars is the prime contender. I am no pedigree expert, but I rely majorly on the performance and the manner of acceleration in a race. In my opinion, Hills And Stars is a light filly but she has tank-loads of stamina. Her Pune Derby conquest convinces me that she is the one who will stay the best. I can’t look beyond her. The other big names are too closely matched and if it’s not Hills And Stars, then your guess is as good as mine.
