A SCINTILATING FINISH IN THE BANGALORE DERBY, GR.1

At the start of the winter season trainer S Padmanabhan was quite convinced that he was not going to feature in the summer Classics as he did not have much “worth talking about”. And see how the scenario has changed, from winter to summer.

It all started in March when a filly called Well Connected (Arazan-Guest Connections) came out and won her debut over the 6f trip. She won the race well, beating a well bred horse by four and a half lengths. Taking on two more furlongs to traverse in the Fillies Classic, she won the race stylishly bringing her trainer right on target for the plum race of the season. And as nonchalant as he always is, he did not fret much when he didn’t have his usual jockey on board in this race.

Now in strong contention for the Bangalore Summer Derby, S Padmanabhan left no stone unturned in assuring that he had the best set of hands on board his filly as she took on the top colt in Bangalore. Impavid played second best to War Hammer in the Colts Classic and was set to go all out to claim the Derby title. And as the race panned out he very nearly did.

Six colts and four fillies laid their talent on the line in their quest for glory with Well Connected, the highest rated in the field of ten going out the favourite. Her main opposition, Impavid was only a point away in the rating. Impavid was taken into the lead with Knight Templar, also from the yard of trainer S Padnambhan in close call, Anjeze and Royal Crystal paired next, followed by Well Connected on the outside of Cosmic Ray, followed by Hunt For Gold, Malwa, Southern Ruler and Air Supremo. Just past the 5f marker the field began to spread out with and when Cosmic Ray went ahead of Well Connected, the latter moved closer to the rails and seemed to be already asked. As then took the turn and straightened for home, David Allan had much to do on Well Connected, going four wide before he could begin his serious challenge. In the meanwhile Sandesh astride Impavid kept the leader going strongly to the line followed closely by Knight Templar, Royal Crystal, Anjeze and Cosmic Ray. Well Connected seemed to take her time in responding to the urgings of David Allan but once she did, she took care of the challenge of Cosmic Ray and then went on to take in Knight Templar. With greater momentum in her stride she was able to get Impavid on the line and deny him his moment of glory by a long neck. Stable mate Knight Templar ran a creditable race finishing 1¼lengths away in third with Southern Ruler 4½lengths adrift in fourth.

Owners Mr. M. Rishad, Mr. P. J. Vazifdar, Mrs. Behroze Z. Poonawalla, Mr. Yohan Z. Poonawalla & Mrs. Michelle Y. Poonawalla were delighted with the dual Classics won by their filly and look forward to her maintaining her unbeaten status. She may be given a well deserved rest or one might see her take on another monsoon Classic to maintain her fitness. Her three wins from as many starts has earned her ₹1,83,37,537.