TWO SUPER COLTS SET TO FIGHT IT OUT IN THE KINGFISHER ULTRA DERBY BANGALORE, GR.1

The prime candidate for the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore, Gr.1 Sir Cecil won his prep race for the Classics by 18 lengths and then won the Colts Championship Stakes by a head from the serious challenger Star Superior. Could the fact that Sir Cecil had a setback losing about 11kgs prior to this race be responsible for the margin of victory being thus? Then again, could he have met his match in Star Superior who could pose a bigger challenge this time round? Both horses are formidable over the mile and should have no problem with the extra two furlongs of the Derby. It looks to be a close call between these two contenders who are far superior to all in the race. The rematch will be a treat to watch. We preview the performances and chances of the contenders for the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore, Gr.1.

SIR CECIL (Win Legend-Elusive Trust) gr r rated 76
The leading contender for the title is unbeaten from four starts the last being the Colts Championship Stakes which he won by a head from the fast finishing Star Superior in 1:38.47secs. Apparently he had a bit of a setback, with a considerable weight loss that could have contributed to him not winning more impressively. Any apprehensions about his staying ability are eliminated by the fact that his full sister Hall Of Famer won the Indian Derby. He has taken his race well, has stripped fitter, has worked well, and will be nursed by ace jockey P Trevor to show his talents more promisingly in the Bangalore Derby.

STAR SUPERIOR (Excellent Art-Ramjet) b r rated 72
This impressive looking colt has won three of his five starts losing out to Corfe Castle in the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million and to Sir Cecil in the Colts Championship Stakes. He has it in him to avenge defeat and will make a powerful effort to win this Group 1. To the question of him staying the distance, his dam has produced two sprinters Goldie’s Pet (Arazan) and Termsandconditions (Ace). Will his sire Excellent Art make the difference and pull him through to claim honours? These two colts are head and shoulder above the rest and it looks to be a closely contested race once again. With the extra distance to cover offering him a chance to settle better the challenge could be more fruitful.

PUNJABI GIRL (Win Legend-Chapmans Peak) b f rated 59
The winner of the Fillies Championship Stakes has won four of her six starts, three of them being in Hyderabad. The manner in which she ran her race, sitting at the rear of the field till heads turned for home, and then coming with a powerful challenge looping her way to success indicates that she may relish the extra distance. Timing for the mile was 1:41.78 which means that she will have to improve lots on that run to give the colts a fight. She is a gutsy filly and now partnered by jockey S Zervan in the saddle, she could put up a tough show though it may prove difficult when up against the two top colts.

ISN’T SHE LOVELY (Excellent Art-In The Spotlight) ch f rated 52
She had a winning debut over 7f in preparation for the Fillies Classic but was short on experience when up against Punjabi Girl in the Fillies Championship Stakes, finishing in third to her by 1½ lengths. With a multi-Classic winning dam as her driving force she is sure to make her mark in the near future.

RIKKI TIKKI TAVI (Excellent Art-Stravella) dk b g rated 52
He won his debut in Hyderabad and during his summer campaign was second to Star Superior in the Youngsters Million and third to the top two colts in the Colts Championship Stakes. He has practically booked his berth in third place in the Derby.

VAN DYKE (KingdaKa-Laserre) ch c rated 46
This colt has had three runs over the mile, winning on debut and then finishing third to Star Superior by 9¼ lengths in the Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders Juvenile Colts Championship. Van Dyke is a full brother to King Charles who won the Golconda 2000 Guineas and Golconda Derby indicating that he has the breeding that can take him over the distance. He has also been trained specifically with this target in mind and his connections feel he will be in the fray being a good stayer. He will have jockey A Sandesh astride him in the Derby.