THE INVADER MAKES GOOD IN THE BANGALORE DERBY, GR.1

Coming into this race on the strength of his four length victory in the Bangalore 2000 Guineas, the G Nityanand-trained The Invader (Total Gallery-Dajolie) was well prepared to go the distance even as Isn’t She Lovely was installed the favourite to win.

After a level jump by all the 13 runners in the Catalyst Properties Bangalore Derby, Gr.1, Play Safe and Eagleinthesky took the lead followed by Mea Culpa, Superb Success, Knotty Ash, with the favourtie Isn’t She Lovely and The Invader in the rear lot. Kennedy was pushed to take position alongside the front runners of Play Safe. Eagleinthesky, Mea Culpa and Superb Success while at the back of the field Isn’t She Lovely took up position along the rails from where she made her challenge while The Invader was searching for room from where to launch his attack. With no opening coming his way, he looped the entire field, coming on the wide outside, while Isn’t She lovely gained ground on the rails. Isn’t She Lovely took over the running on the rails and looked set to hit the line till The Invader, with P Trevor astride came with a blistering challenge. They fought it out very briefly, for The Invader in greater momentum took over the running, and stretched away with every stride winning by 2¾ lengths. Five lengths away in third was New Moon and a neck separated him from Eagleinthesky.

Owners Mr A Muniraja and Mr N Nanda Kumar were overjoyed, and the never ending photo session with the winner tells the story of their delight at having won this Group I Classic. This lends encouragement for smaller owners and trainers, for it takes a good horse, a great rider and immense perseverance and confidence to win big.