THE KINGFISHER ULTRA INDIAN DERBY, GR.1

The Indian Derby has rarely seen such a big field of contenders, and one was expecting the numbers to cross the last time we saw 20 horses race, which was in 2016 when Desert God won the Indian Derby. That didn’t happen, so here we are with the same number of contenders, but what makes the race bear significance is that we have eight Derby winners face off in what undoubtedly is the race of champions in itself. More than half the contenders, a total of 12 horses have travelled to Mahalaxmi for this tough contest of ability, so let’s hope the weather Gods will be kind to them and keep the cool winds blowing as the on-track competition will be hot, fierce, intimidating and unrelenting.  Four final entries have been included in this impressive lineup.

178 horses will be racing for glory and total prize money of Rs Rs.4,21,05,000/- (Four Crores Twenty One Lakhs Five Thousand) which is including the Derby stakes of Rs 2,20,80,000.

With this year’s Indian Derby being a very open race, every candidate has a chance to win the coveted trophy, some more than others on their past performances and reputations. Connections have ensured that they have the best partners for their horses and hope they will bring home glory. The luck of the draw will be of crucial importance in a 20 horse field as early position in the race will have ultimate impact. So when the horses reach the gates for the running of this year’s Indian Derby there will be palpitations and anxiety, as the crowds roar for the best horse to win. We review the contenders for the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby, Gr.1 in order of their rating.

WAR HAMMER (Air Support-Soviet Lake) dkb c rated 92

The highest rated horse comes into this race with an impeccable record being unbeaten in seven starts. His conquests include the Bangalore Juvenile Million, Gr.3; the Karnataka Juvenile Million, Gr.3; the Colts Championship Stakes, Gr.1; the Bangalore 2000 Guineas, Gr.2 and his latest, the Bangalore Derby, Gr.1. In the Bangalore Derby it appeared that he took his time to get his act going and needed reminders from the whalebone of the task at hand but when he got into his momentum, he sailed away to a 4 length victory over Angeze in a good timing of 2:28.86s. He has never ventured outside his home turf and will now be attempting to maintain his unbeaten record in the greatest race of all. His trainer has never had a runner in the Indian Derby before. He has had a relatively hard ride in the Bangalore Derby, travelled to Mumbai and will now parade the paddock for the Indian Derby, all in a week’s time. Regardless, his reputation is flawless, he is tough and he will be keeping a keen eye on the champion Western India filly Juliette, that is planning to trouble him.     

SIR SUPREMO (Speaking of Which-Cool Mover) b c rated 88

He finished a tame sixth to Northern Alliance in the Mysore 2000 Guineas with Southern Ruler also ahead of him by 1½lengths. The winner’s margin was 6½lengths. He was next seen in the South Indian 2000 Guineas finishing third to Impavid and Lightning Bolt by 1¾lengths. He turned the tables on them all in the South India Derby Stakes beating Lightning Bolt by 3¾lengths, and they were followed by Impavid and Sothern Ruler. Timing of the Derby was 2:37.06s. While Suraj Narredu has partnered him for more than half of his races including the Derby, he may have to settle for another rider as Narredu might be seen atop War Hammer. He definitely has a live chance in the Indian Derby.

CONSIGLIORI (Air Support-Caprese) b c rated 90

The possible dark horse in the race won the Deccan Derby beating Royal Crystal, Impavid and Well Connected. He lost the Golconda 2000 Guineas by a neck to Vijays Singham, and the same sorrow followed him in the Golconda Derby Stakes where he lost by a similar margin to Royal Crystal. He had some issues prior to the running of the Derby which may have resulted in him not being able to do his best. He has now put on weight, is feeling well and looking the part. Trevor Patel has never partnered him before but will do so in the race that matter the most in a horse’s career. He will fight hard to topple the best in the race.

JULIETTE (Musketier-Gimmesumsugar) b f rated 87

This relatively small and light framed filly did not get the best of rides in the Indian 1000 Guineas but she came out and trounced the field by winning the Indian Oaks in remarkable style by 5¾ lengths from Well Connected in 2:29.86s. She has the home advantage on her side as well. While she has taken care of Well Connected, Thailand and Armaity in this race and will probably be able to do so again if her jockey Colm O’Donoghue rides her to perfection she has to contend with the unbeaten Bangalore champion War Hammer. He has raced and won the Bangalore Derby, travelled to Mahalaxmi and set to take on 20 horses for greater glory while Juliette is being pampered for the task at hand. An interesting dual is on the cards.

ROYAL CRYSTAL (Western Aristocrat-Sparkling Crystal) b c rated 85

A winner on debut, struck gold again on his 13^th outing, the Golconda Derby Stakes, Gr.1 which he did in 2:31.54s beating Consigliori by a neck. His opponent had a set back before going into the race so this time round he will have a fight on his hands. Needless to say he has many more worthy opponents in the race to worry about.   

VICTORIOUS SERMON (Whatsthescript-Crystal) b g rated 82

This gelding has won two races over 7f, was beaten by both Sultan Suleiman and Trouvaille in the S A Poonawalla Million; came fourth to Trouvaille, Wizard Of Stocks and Daddy’s Pride in the Pune Derby; fifth in the Indian 2000 Guineas to Trouvaille and a shade behind Wizard of Stocks in the race where Royal Crystal and Sultan Suleiman finished behind him, then came out and shocked them all beating Trouvaille by 3½ lengths, Sultan Suleiman by 4 ½ lengths and Daddy’s Pride by 9 lengths in the R R Ruia Trophy. This win sent the opposition back to the drawing board wondering what went wrong with their form. He is well and is hoping to repeat the performance but the connections are concerned about the draw and the run of the race.  

IMPAVID (Air Support-Polenta) dkb c rated 82

The winner of five of seven races, has always placed in all his starts. A consistent performer, he won the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes, Gr.3 beating Royal Crystal by a length, then finished third to Consigliori in the Deccan Derby by 2 lengths with Royal Crystal a length ahead of him in second. He did manage to get the better of Well Connected by 1½lengths. He was then sent off to Chennai where he annexed the 2000 Guineas where he beat Lightning Bolt by a head with Sir Supremo in third. He had to settle for third in the South India Derby Stakes where he was beating by Sir Supremo by 3¾lengths, Lightning Bolt a nose ahead of him. Southern Ruler was well taken care off in fifth. Initially taught highly of as a stayer, he has fallen short every time extended over the mile. He will have to fight his own stamina limitations as well as a very competitive field.   

TRAFALGAR (Western Aristocrat-Bluegrass Phenom) b c rated 81

The winner of four of his seven starts was withdrawn from the Calcutta 2000 Guineas after some serious antics at the gates. With keen attention paid to rectifying the issue he was well behaved in the Calcutta Derby winning the race with David Allan in the saddle by a length, from Tenno Sho in 2:35.40s. With Allan assigned to ride usual partner Well Connected in the Derby, Y S Srinath will take over the responsibility of riding Trafalgar. He has travelled well, eating well and ready to do what some of his predecessors have done.

NORTHERN ALLIANCE (Gusto-Allonia) b c rated 81

The winner of the Bangalore Summer Million over the mile was next victorious in the Mysore 2000 Guineas where he beat Southern Ruler and Sir Supremo by 5 lengths and over. He was second to War Hammer in the Bangalore 2000 Guineas by 1¾lenths a shade ahead of Southern Ruler. He has never raced over the mile trip and will surely find the distance and the company intimidating. 

SOUTHERN RULER (Saamidd-Farha) ch c rated 80

On his fourth outing as a maiden he finished 4¼lengths in second to Trouvaille in the Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship, Gr.3. He has been beaten by Victorious Sermon on two occasions in Bangalore. He finished fourth to Well Connected in the Bangalore Derby in the summer with Impavid ahead of him in the race while Sir Supremo and Royal Crystal were well beaten. He was fifth to Northern Alliance by 5 lengths in the Mysore 2000 Guineas, 1½lengths ahead of Sir Supremo. In the four horse Bangalore 2000 Guineas he was third, 2½lengths behind War Hammer with Northern Alliance just a shade ahead of him. Determined to win a Derby he was sent to Chennai where he was overhauled by Sir Supremo by 6lengths. Lightning Bolt and Impavid also got the better of him. He is here to take his chance.    

TROUVAILLE (Surfrider-Highly Fashionable) dkb g rated 78

He won the Pune Derby by 2¾ lengths from Wizard Of Stocks. Daddy’s Pride was six lengths away in third and Victorious Sermon eight lengths behind the winner. Timing of the race was 2:03.51s. He then came out and won the Indian 2000 Guineas from Alexei, again taking care of Wizard of Stocks, Victorious Sermon, Royal Crystal and Sultan Suleiman. He disappointed in the R R Ruia Trophy getting beaten by Victorious Sermon by 3½ lengths, while managing to stay ahead of Sultan Suleiman and Daddy’s Pride. Timing of the race was 2:03.11s. Like they say, “It’s better to lose the Ruia and win the Derby”, is probably what the connections are hoping for.     

LIGHTNING BOLT (Excellent Art-Shamaal) ch c rated 77

The winner of three of his seven starts was second to Impavid in the South Indian 2000 Guineas losing by a head beating Sir Supremo by 1¾lengths. The South India Derby Stakes saw the order change a little, but not for Lightning Bolt. Sir Supremo won the race by 3¾ lengths from Lightning Bolt who finished a nose ahead of Impavid. Southern Ruler finished in fifth, six lengths behind the winner. Timing of the race was 2:37.06s. Akshay Kumar was astride him when he shed his maiden status and has now been assigned the task of winning the big race.      

WELL CONNECTED (Arazan- Guest Connections) b f rated 75

The winner of the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes, could only manage to finish in fourth to Consigliori by 3½lengths in the Deccan Derby. Royal Crystal and Impavid also got the better of her in the race. Third in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas to Angeze and fourth in the Indian 1000 Guineas to Gift Of Grace showed her going off form for a while. She came back with a strong performance, only to be run of her feet by Juliette in the Indian Oaks. She has won four of her eight starts and will have to work hard to overcome the great effort made by Juliette, the tough War Hammer and the competitive field.  

THAILAND (Top Class-Immortal Story) b f rated 69

Although this filly has only won a single race from nine starts, never over more than the mile, she put in a brave performance in the Indian Oaks finishing third to Juliette and Well Connected, albeit 7¾ lengths behind the winner. In an open race like this, why not take the chance. 

WIZARD OF STOCKS (Speaking Of Which-Margarita Rita) b g rated 65

He has only won a single race from six starts, over the mile in Bangalore. He was second to Trouvaille in the Pune Derby, beating both Daddy’s Pride and Victorious Sermon. In the Indian 2000 Guineas he was 2¼lengths behind Trouvaille, this time beating Victorious Sermon, Royal Crystal and Sultan Suleiman. His connections feel he should run well. 

SULTAN SULEMAN (Arazan-Saffron Dancer) b g rated 61

With a slight set back before the Indian 2000 Guineas which resulted in his performance being below par, he was next seen in the R R Ruia Gold Trophy where he finished third to Victorious Sermon by 3½ lengths and a length behind Trouvaille. He is well prepared for the task at hand, has worked well and should run a good race.

DADDY’S PRIDE (Oath-Cannon Jet) b c rated 57

This colt has tried to match strides with the best finishing third to Trouvaille in the Pune Derby and last but one in the R R Ruia Gold Trophy. With an opportunity to parade in the paddock of a very open race of this stature, it is naturally a chance one should take.

ARMAITY (Multidimensional-Hills And Stars) b f rated 52

This surprise packed finished at the back of the field in the Indian 1000 Guineas and then came with a tremendous run from last to fourth in the Indian Oaks. Though she finished over 10 lengths behind Juliette it is style of running the race under A Imran Khan that got her connections moving. They have spared no effort, flying down jockey Chris Hayes to partner her with hopes that she will be right there at the finish line this time. 

JUSTIFIED (Multidimensional-Secret Garden) b c rated 36

The lowest rated horse in the field will be lost in this field of 20, and if the need to parade in the paddock for the Indian Derby is the objective, then the choice to run this race is justified.