DESERT GOD DOES IT AGAIN! WINNING THE GOLCONDA ST. LEGER, GR.2

There is hardly anything more to say about Desert God (Burden of Proof-Running Flame), a seven-year-old that hasn’t been said already. The only point of debate is why hasn’t he met his match as yet? Due credit must be given to his connections and in particular his owner-trainer S Padmanabhan who has kept this veteran of the track, in great condition. In his 27 appearances he has on only two occasions finish off board. Even though he doesn’t boast an unbeaten record of wins, he has a career record that is in a league of its own. 16 of his 18 wins have been Group races. When he’s done winning them once over, he just keeps persisting, winning them again. He has won the President of India Gold Cup thrice; The Golconda St. Leger twice and the Bangalore St Leger thrice. Adding to that is the fact that he has won three Derbies: the Deccan Derby, Calcutta Derby and the Indian Derby. Another achievement was winning the Indian Turf Invitation Cup in 2016, after which he had his uneventful overseas sojourn, then came back and just lost out in 2019 by half a length when conceding chunks of weight to the winner.

In a marketplace where few Indian horses have achieved international glory, Saddle Up, Astonish and Mystical to name a few, it is disturbing but truthful when a comparison is made to the career of Desert God. He was one of the best from India when he left these shores. The fact that he was unsuccessful overseas and has now come back trouncing his opposition repeatedly makes one wonder, where does Indian racing stand? One can ponder this thought for a long while, but while you do, the connections of the champion Desert God, are smiling all the way. Winning six Terms races on his return to India, he has paid his dues for his long vacation overseas.

In the Golconda St Leger, Gr.2 Desert God was a short priced favourite and this time round settled behind the leaders till past the 800m marker at which point of time jockey A Sandesh decided to take the lead while the rest of the field were pushed to perform. He galloped away freely with the jockey looking back, and then got the crowd roaring as he passed the post 9 lengths clear of the field. The property of Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan, Mr S Padmanabhan and Col Swapan Bhadra has now earned over 8.5crore rupees in stake money. And it doesn’t look like its stopping there.