THE KINGFISHER ULTRA DERBY BANGALORE, Gr.1

The pinnacle of glory during the summer season of racing is achieved by the horse that triumphs in the Bangalore Derby, a race run over a mile and a quarter. It is the barometer that is set for all the other Classics that follow. It is the crown that will be worn by the best three-year-old in the country at this point of time. Four fillies and six colts will line up for this contest with only one outstation challenger, Hunt For Gold making a bold attempt to steal the trophy away from the local challengers. The Mumbai import, Royal Crystal may find herself shifting her base to Bangalore, so it’s a bit hazy if she can be considered an outstation challenger. For a horse like War Hammer to face issues soon after his victory in the Colts Championship Stakes, Gr.1 comes as a huge disappointment to racing fans but a ray of hope to the contenders. It looks set to be a clash of talent, in horses as well as in jockeyship, with the talents of David Allan being flown in to partner Well Connected this time out.

WELL CONNECTED (Arazan-Guest Connections) b f rated 71

WELL CONNECTED

The winner of the Fillies Championship Stakes made a late challenge with Zervan in the saddle and with a fair amount of ease took over the running to win the race by 1½ lengths in 1:38.78s, finishing well ahead of Anjeze, Cosmic Ray and Hunt For Gold who will be in the fray again. It rained quite heavily prior to the race but that didn’t seem to bother her a bit. This time round she has Classic winning jockey David Allan to guide her through the paces and she looks like the one all will have to beat.

IMPAVID (Air Support-Polenta) dk b c rated 70

IMPAVID

He fought hard to maintain his unbeaten status and kept up the challenge against War Hammer in the Colts Championship Stakes, only to surrender to the relentless stamina of War Hammer by ¾length at the post. Timing for the race was 1:36.11s. With his main adversary, from the colts Classic, War Hammer, out of contention he is sure to make an all out fight for the title particularly since his connections and saddle partner feel he will be better over the Derby distance. So is he ready to take the Classic winning filly on? He sure is.

ANJEZE (Win Legend-Angelique) b f rated 68

ANJEZE

She was holding the same unbeaten status as Impavid when she attempted to win her first Classic, the Fillies Championship Stakes. Her customary front running style saw her run out of steam in the straight and she was beaten into third, finishing three lengths behind Well Connected. She has the pedigree to stay the Derby distance but it was a little disturbing to see her struggle to get the mile. Perhaps there could be a change in riding strategy that could see her preserve her best for last. She’s a good filly and she will be looking to prove it.

ROYAL CRYSTAL (Western Aristocrat- Sparkling Crystal) b c rated 51
He was disappointing in the Karnataka Juvenile Million finishing ninth in a 10 horse field, a race that saw Malwa and Hunt For Gold finish well ahead of him. He then ran a Class 2 race over the Derby trip and finished in third to Secretive Force and Salvador Dali. It is this promising effort that one can look at as a step towards him putting in a good show.

HUNT FOR GOLD (Leitir Mor-Pleasure Hunt) b f rated 51

HUNT FOR GOLD

With David Allen being flown in to partner her in the Fillies Championship Stakes she was naturally a front runner for the Classic. The sudden downpour just prior to the race saw many in the line up not take kindly to the underfoot conditions and she was one of them. Finishing seventh, 9¾lengths behind Well Connected in the Classic, leaves her with much to do in order to reverse the tables on the winner. P Trevor will guide her in her quest for Classic glory.

SOUTHERN RULER (Saamidd-Farha) ch c rated 50

Still a maiden after six attempts he will find this company of achievers rather intimidating.

COSMIC RAY (Burden Of Proof-Corsican Gal) ch f rated 50

COSMIC RAY

After winning her debut over 7f in style, she finished fourth in the Fillies Championship Stakes to Well Connected by 5½, and 2½lengths behind Anjeze who finished in third, while getting the better of Hunt For Gold. She is bred to get the trip but will she be able to improve as much as is needed to take on those that have proved to be better than she is? Time will tell.  

KNIGTH TEMPLAR (Multidimensional-Grand Madame) b c rated 48

His victory over the mile in his second outing where he beat Sir Supremo by 2 lengths has probably prompted the Classic trainer to run his ward. He also saddles the probable favourite Well Connected in the race.

SIR SUPREMO (Speaking of Which-Cool Mover) b c rated 45

Always on board but never a winner, he was second to Knight Templar in his last outing. He will have to wait a little longer to shed his maiden status.

MALWA (Whatsthescript-One Punch) b c rated 40

MALWA

He was a disappointing last of eight in the Colts Championship Stakes and will find it hard to make his presence felt in this race.