SIZZLING IN THE SPOTLIGHT - By Ikram Khan I TNN
Posted on - 06 Feb 2012
SIZZLING IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Bangalore Challenger Outclasses Her Rivals To Record Derby Hat-Trick On Sunday
By Ikram Khan I TNN
Mumbai: Salute In The Spotlight. In what proved to be Lady’s day out on the D-day at Mahalaxmi, the classy daughter of Alnasr uncorked a champagne performance before the bubbly flowed and the owner, Capt Jamshed Appoo, and the breeders Poonawallas hugged and kissed declaring that it was time for song and dance all night long.
In line for a Derby hat-trick after winning the Deccan Derby at Malakpet (Hyderabad) and the Calcutta Derby, the spotlight was trained on this strongly-built ‘Queen’, who looked the best in the paddock parade.
“She, it appeared, just wanted to go out and do it and in the end it was like sweeping autumn leaves from the garden path,” said a delighted owner Appoo after In The Spotlight, without rasing a sweat, romped home to wear the Derby sash and take home the record purse of Rs 1,56,96,000 on offer to the winner of McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby, the richest event in the Indian racing calendar.
After the 10-top colts, the three fillies came under the starter’s flag for the mile-and-a-half classic journey, Pronto Star, playing the role of a pacemaker to his illustrious stablematePronto Pronto, raced like a scalded cat and set a decent pace all through the back stretch.
In The Spotlight’s stablemate, Field Marshal, followed the leader while Martin Dwyer, guiding the fortunes of the star performer, settled his mount nice and easy in third place. Pronto Pronto and Hills And Stars, meanwhile, chose to play the waiting game, content to grace the wrong end of the field for most part of the classic trip.
The moment the early leader Pronto Pronto shot his bolt at the top of the straight, Martin pushed In The Sotlight ahead and it was all over bar the shouting, with the Padmanbbhan ward storming through to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong.
Another filly, Smashing, followed In The Spotlight home, making certain that it was truly a day for the Ladies, with the top cats from the tinsel world sporting designer hats providing a standing ovation to the new queen.
Field Marshal finished third, ahead of Pronto Pronto, while Hills And Stars finished in the ruck.
“She is a very special filly and this is her sixth straight classic success. What makes it even more noteworthy is the fact that my champion has won in all the premier racing centres,” gushed Padmanabhan, adding that the ‘Queen’ will return home to Bangalore and will next compete in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on the first Sunday of March in the Garden City.
The graceful Simone Poonwalla, immensely pleased with the result, was ecstatic. “It takes a good team to produce a champion and the moment In The Spotlight came to the parade ring her body language said it all,” said Simone.
