Commander Fights Hard to Win Nanoli Pune Derby - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 23 Oct 2012
The Nanoli Pune Derby (Gr1) lived up to expectations and provided an electric finish befitting the season’s premier race. Not one among the top contenders for the Derby, Commander showed admirable courage and grit. Guided by Dashrath Singh in the saddle, Commander wore down his equally gritty rival Shivalik Hero in a pulsating finish.
More than a week has gone by since the Derby conquest, but talks of the fight to the finish are still on. “I would be lying if I said that I was not disappointed,” says Malesh Narredu, the trainer of Shivalik Hero. “Losing on the last stride is never easy to digest quickly. I know exactly how jockey Sreekanth would also be feeling. But you have to take it as it comes. I won’t say I lost any sleep over it, but yes, I would have definitely lost sleep had he won. Winning the Derby in my first attempt would have kept me awake with happiness and celebration too! The joy of winning a targeted high-profile race is always a matter of great pride. This would have been a perfect gift to Dr MAM Ramaswamy. After all, he had the faith to entrust the care of Shivalik Hero to me and what an ideal way it would have been of thanking him, if I could have shipped the Derby trophy to him in Chennai! It is a great feeling though, that in my very first attempt at the Nanoli Pune Derby, which I have very fond memories of as a jockey, Shivalik Hero nearly pulled if off for me. Such narrow losses are indeed motivating and it makes me more determined to try harder the next time,” said Malesh Narredu.
Bezan Chenoy, despite the victory, was calm and composed. One couldn’t miss the ‘been-there-done-that’ attitude. This has been Bezan’s trademark for some years now. The veteran of numerous Classic winners though, was forthcoming when I had a brief chat with him last Saturday.
“I have been in this game long enough to accept the result as it comes. Of course the joy of victory has not simmered down deep inside, but the manner of celebration may have dimmed a bit. It’s not that I am any less excited, but you wouldn’t expect me to scream and shout like before. The exultation is sedate and sober. I am not that vociferous now,” says Bezan Chenoy.
Destiny does play a part in huge successes. Commander’s entry for the Nanoli Pune Derby was not certain until the last minute. He came in as a late entry which carries a hefty fee and a sum of Rs 750,000/- was duly paid to have Commander in the line-up. Definitely the connections must have been confident of Commander’s potential.
“Some thought does go into deciding on a late entry. One, you have to be convinced your horse is right up there and would do justice to your decision. That is primary. With Commander, I did feel he showed signs when he finished second to Neona in the SA Poonawalla Multi-Million. His earlier victory too was pleasing. However, there were other factors to be considered as well. I had to ensure he had taken that race well and returned sound. Then his next work-out was closely monitored. When I felt he was absolutely fit and rearing to go, only then I suggested we run him in the Derby. That was it. The owners readily agreed and everything went right for us,” concluded Mr Chenoy.
Commander couldn’t have fared better. Jockey Dashrath Singh evidently did the right moves at the right junctures. The verdict shows that even a slight error in judgement would have proven costly. He seemed to know that Shivalik Hero was his only threat and was stalking Shivalik Hero all the time. He moved into second when Shivalik Hero hit the front in the straight. The battle thereon will be folklore for years to come.
In a country obsessed with cricket, the Nanoli Pune Derby 2012, was an equal match to any last-ball-thriller of the other turf. Both horses ran their hearts out; both jockeys were hard at work. The two contestants were inseparable for the entire length of the homestretch. The spectators were screaming themselves hoarse right through and witnessed one of the most gripping finishes in recent times.
The Nanoli Pune Derby showcased the best of sporting thrills. One that instantly comes to mind is the extended stride-for-stride battle between Astonish and La Bon Vie on the never-ending Mahalaxmi homestretch. This is the true mettle of horseracing. The Supreme Court ruling therefore, that the sport of horseracing is one of skill, could not have been endorsed more aptly!
