Buzz Around the Derby
Posted on - 13 Oct 2012
Vivek Jain: The Nanoli Pune Derby is a carnival of racing and entertainment that brings in the numbers. If he has travelled well, the outstation contender Tintinnabulation can upset as he will relish the trip and is in fine trim.
Zavaray Poonawalla: It looks an open race. I would have liked to see some really outstanding horses but the field this year doesn’t figure any proven high class contender. There are good performers though and promising too, but predicting a particular horse is a tough task.
AS Nareilwalla: For me, it’s Shivalik Hero all the way. I feel he is much better than when he won his last race and it will take a lot to beat him on current form.
Kishore Dingra: Commander comes right into the equation after his good second to the classy Neona. He has the ability to stay the distance and has the form to back him. Another big plus is that he has Dashrath Singh to guide him and I have great respect for Dashrath when it comes to judging the pace over the longer trips. It is so crucial to judge the pace and allow your mount to save the best for the last. Dashrath Singh is as skillful as any to give your horse the best ride. Commander will be right up there.
Malesh Narredu: This is an important race for me. As a jockey I have some great memories linked to the Nanoli Derby. It would be a great thrill for me to lead-in a winner as a trainer too. I have, as you know, three representing my stables and that’s a comforting feeling. Each of the three has shown out in their respective preparations. Shivalik Hero comes in with a good victory and has further improved as expected. He should run a big race. Okavango has lined up a streak of victories and has thrilled me no end. He is capable of getting the distance and his form is for all to see. Amazing Desire just scored his maiden victory and now knows the taste of victory. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope all goes well for my horses.
Altamash Ahmed: This is my first attempt in the Nanoli Pune Derby and I am excited. An Acquired Taste is undoubtedly a very good horse and is in fine trim. I was particularly pleased with his mock race and I am hoping he does well in the race too. His performance in Bangalore has been very encouraging and I am more than optimistic that he will do well. His main threats however, comes from Shivalik Hero a good horse with a recent win and the Hyderabad challenger Tintinnabulation who also comes with a couple of suggestive wins at Hyderabad. He is shaping up well too so An Acquired Taste will have to dish out his best and I strongly feel he will be there at the busy end, hopefully nosing the wire first.
LVR Deshmukh: I am happy with the way Tintinnabulation has performed so far. I heard things being said about his not winning a graded race. Well, Tintinnabulation fortunately doesn’t know the difference between a graded and non-graded race. He only knows how to compete and run to his best. He is sure to do that as he is taken to Pune satisfactorily. He is in fine fettle and I can tell you he will run a good race.
Pesi Shroff: I don’t have a runner in the race so I can only say that may the best horse win.
Narendra Lagad: I feel Tintinnabulation stands a good chance of winning the Nanoli Pune Derby. He is coming in with two solid back-to-back victories and could well carry his current good form to another success. Although he has not won a group race, he is the improving with each run and on his pedigree, I am optimistic that he will stay the trip.
Imtiaz A Sait: On the strength of his Bangalore performances and the latest mock race here in Pune, I feel An Acquired Taste has more than a reasonably good chance to win. Shivalik Hero and Tintinnabulation are the major threats as they have to abilities to stay the distance and come into this race with good credentials.
Magan Singh Jodha: I would say it will be close call between Malesh’s Shivalik Hero and the horse which left Malesh’s yard – An Acquired Taste. These two stand out over the rest. Tintinnabulation didn’t appeal to me when I saw him. He has the performance to back him though, but the two that I mentioned, for me, are the top contenders.
Dallas Todywalla: It’s an open race but if I had to pick one, Shivalik Hero would get my vote for his victory in the General Rajendrasinghji Million. He has been a good performer and seems to be peaking in time.
Karthik G: It appears an open race, but I would narrow it down to Shivalik Hero and Tintinnabulation. My stable contender Supreme Minstrel is raring to go. I am pretty pleased with his last victory and his form post that win. I am confident he will run a good race too.
Adhirajsingh Jodha: In my opinion, Shivalik Hero and An Acquired Taste should battle it out for honours. With a benefit of a good run and steady preparation, I would give an edge to Shivalik Hero
