Trainer targets Derby from hospital bed - By Shailendra Awasthi I TNN
Posted on - 04 Feb 2012
Trainer targets Derby from hospital bed
By Shailendra Awasthi I TNN
Mumbai: After Hills And Stars won the Pune Derby last October, her trainer Vinayak started preparing her to win the biggest prize in Indian racing scheduled for Sunday—The McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby. But fate had something else in store. With little over a month left for the big race, Vinayak had to undergo two major operations and now finds himself on a Jaslok Hospital bed. But that is no deterrent to his never-say-die spirit.
“He is very much in charge,” says Richard Hughes, one of the top jockeys in the world who will ride Hills And Stars and is filling in for the master trainer. “I’m following all the instructions he gives,” the 39-year-old Irishman admitted to TOI.
The entire morning workout regime of the filly, now a hot D-day favourite, is being closely monitored by Vinayak who has won the Indian Derby three times before. The 49-year-old is also taking a call on her feed and other aspects of her daily routine. “I make videos of Hills And Stars every second day and show them to Vinayak in the hospital,” Hughes told TOI. “He sees them and advises me on how to go about with the filly’s preparations,” he added.
Hughes says he is moved by the dedication of the trainer. “That is why I tell him every detail of the filly’s progress. I don’t hide anything, good or bad,” he said. “Even if I were to be in his place, I would have liked to be told all the truth about my filly,” he pointed out.
Going by his brilliant record—Hughes has won eight of the last 17 Classic races held in Mumbai—Hills And Stars has become hot property for the big event. According to sources, Vinayak has requested doctors to allow him to travel to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday, even if for a short while, so that he can see his filly winning. “He has asked his family to keep his suit ready for a brief appearance at the Derby,” said sources.
Ace jockey-turned trainer Malesh Narredu, who has won his only Indian Derby crown astride a Vinayak-trained horse called Indictment in 1997, is hoping Hills And Stars wins. “Nothing will please me more than seeing the filly win and I’m praying to god that my friend comes back to us in good health,” he said.
Please Comment Below
