STAR SUPERIOR AT HIS BEST WINNING THE INDIAN DERBY, GR.1 BY 5 LENGTHS

Whether you term it as the ‘Clash Of The Titans’ or “The Race of the Year” the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby, Gr.1 has always been the cynosure of all racing patrons and crowds that throng to Mahalaxmi for this weekend extravaganza. The stakes are high at every level. It has the biggest prize on offer for the fastest result in any sport. For under two and a half minutes the pulse both on and off the track is at its throbbing best. It is also the climax of months of preparation on the part of the connections of every contender in the race that results in joy and jubilation or tears and disappointment.

The race was no exception this year. There were two protagonists, Sir Cecil and Star Superior who were head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Sir Cecil had won the first leg of the Indian Triple Crown, the Indian 2000 Guineas and was looking forward to claiming the next. Unfortunately, a shroud enveloped him as his fitness was of grave concern. As time went by his magnificent workout was followed by a preparatory program that indicated that all was not well. On the other hand Star Superior was getting to his peak and his preparation went according to plan. All went well in the Rajesh Narredu camp and when he went his final workout, optimism was at its highest. Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, who along with his brother Zavaray Poonawalla had bought a share in Star Superior, even went on record to say with absolute confidence that Star Superior would win the Indian Derby. And what a victory it was. Winning an Indian Derby by 5 lengths is no mean feat. The icing on the cake was that this was the first Group I win for their inmate Excellent Art over the mile and a half, dispelling the notion that the progeny of Excellent Art do not have the ability to stay the distance.

As expected Sir Cecil went out the favourite in the race, the Kolkata challenger Adjudicate, second in demand with the Rajesh Narredu-trained Star Superior (Excellent Art-Ramjet) third in line, at odds punters are never going to get again. As Valegro set the pace of the race, stable mate Vintage decided to stop racing at the start. Valegro was followed by stablemate Sacred Roman, Sir Cecil in third, followed by Augustus Caesar, Star Superior, Pioneer and the rest of the runners. Half way through the race the order remained largely the same with Star Superior, well off the bunch keeping a firm eye on Sir Cecil. At the 800m marker Valegro had set a lead of 5 lengths while Sir Cecil started to make a move ranging up alongside Sacred Roman. Suraj Narredu saw the move, and started to shift gears on Star Superior setting all behind him into full swing. As they moved into the home stretch, Sir Cecil raced past Sacred Roman, swiftly moved into second gaining ground on Valegro while Pioneer and Adjudicate were trying to get alongside Star Superior. When put into top gear Star Superior gained ground on Sacred Roman, got alongside Sir Cecil and Valegro and went on with a powerful surge to race in the clear and get to the line with 5 lengths to spare over Adjudicate who finished ahead of Sir Cecil by 2¼ lengths. A further 3½ lengths away in third was Sacred Roman. With a race timing of 2:28.92sec Star Superior has earned a reputation for himself, that he can not only stay the distance but that he can do it well. 

He will go all out to prove it when he takes on the best of the rest in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup. Sir Cecil was humbled in defeat and one could not but feel sad for the amazing grey that not only looked a champion, but raced champion like with an unbeaten record into the Indian Derby. He may not be seen racing for a while, but with the care and attention that he deserves and will get, it may only be a matter of time before he gets back to doing what he knows best.
The winner takes it all, and it was D-day for the connections of Star Superior. Rajesh Narredu had won the Indian Derby as a part owner of Super Storm but this was a first for him as a trainer. For Jockey Suraj Narredu it was his second win having won the race in 2015 on Be Safe. For Poonawalla Stud Farm this was their 10 th Indian Derby win.