Surprise Package - By Shailendra Awasthi I TNN
Posted on - 04 Feb 2012
Surprise Package
Handsome Ranthambhore Can Upset, Feels Trainer Jodha On His Derby Debut
Shailendra Awasthi I TNN
Till just three weeks ago, his trainer had planned to run him in an ordinary race on the Derby weekend, but destiny had something else in store for him. A splendid show in a race on January 15 changed everything for Ranthambhore and now the big built handsome colt finds himself in the running for the race of his life, the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby tomorrow
“He had all the makings of a stayer as he is tall and big built. He has long strides and possesses a quick turn of foot, but on the track he showed great initial speed and that made us think that he is good for a journey of 1200 metres sprint race,” says Adhirajsingh Jodha, the youngest trainer at RWITC at 24.
“Ranthambhore won his debut race in the last Pune season very impressively, so we decided to run him in another 1200 metres race in Mumbai last November and thought that if he wins we might try for the Guineas,” informed the third generation trainer of Jodha family at RWITC.
His grandfather Purtu Singh was a jockey-turned trainer, while his father, Magansingh, has been training at RWITC for almost three decades.
Ranthambhore lost that race. “I wanted him to be kept off the pace, but the track was bad that day and jockey Y S Srinath said he would sit up with the pace. Probably that did not suit Ranthambhore and he finished close third,” says Jodha. “So we thought not to run him in the Guineas. I then planned a 1400 metres race last December which he won comfortably.
“Then we decided to up the trip for him and fielded him in a mile (1600m) race on January 15 to see if he stays. He won that race smartly coming from behind. That day jockey Dashrath told me that the horse was really travelling well and was not tired and thought that he can stay the distance. The way he won prompted me to think of Derby and after consulting with my father, I decided to give Derby a shot,” says Jodha. Jodha felt Ranthmabhore deserves this big race. “He looks very much a stayer. The Derby comes once in a lifetime for a horse, so why take that away from him,” said Jodha for whom it will also be his first Indian Derby in his young career.
It will also be the first time for 24-year-old jockey Chotu Jodha. “Many told us that considering Chotu’s lack of experience in big races, we must try out good jockey but we think he is the one who has worked with the horse and knows his mount very well. Everybody has a first time in life so why not give the chance to Chotu,” says Jodha.
Indian Derby has seen many big upsets since 1943 and who knows the trainer-jockey combination may enjoy beginners’ luck.
