WAR HAMMER REIGNS SUPREME – REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH AN AMAZING VICTORY

The Bangalore Derby contenders were hoping that the champion colt War Hammer, would shift to Mumbai sooner to acclimatize in order to put up a top performance in the Indian Derby and thereby miss the Derby in Bangalore, all the while  the Mumbai Derby contenders were hoping the reverse. They were hoping he would run the Bangalore Derby and that if he had a hard race he would be probably be unable to make it to Mahalaxmi. This tough colt waged war in both places. He dispensed with all thoughts and expectations. He did away with the anxieties of having to run two mile and a half races in a week. He did away with the false notion that he has won only on his home turf and that Mahalaxmi would be different. He did away with any doubts and established himself as being the best of his generation winning the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby, G.1 by 7¾lengths in 2:28.40s.

In the Bangalore Derby the Prasanna Kumar-trained War Hammer (Air Support-Soviet Lake) was comfortably settled last but one in the eight horse field as the leaders Speedster and Mighty Red tore away from the pack. Unperturbed both Angeze and War Hammer took their time and 300m from the winning post the two main protagonists got into action. War Hammer took his time with constant reminders of the whalebone from Suraj Narredu to take over the lead and sail away to a 4 length lead over Angeze.

Immediately after this victory he was sent to Mumbai, sending a wave of disappointment through the competition for they knew the unbeaten champion would be hard to topple in the Indian Derby. In the 20-horse field he had a decent draw exiting from stall no. 10 and his jockey Suraj Narredu had him placed comfortably on the rail behind Consigliori and Wizard of Stocks. He was totally oblivious of the jostling and fight for space that was happening behind him, which was inevitable in a 20-horse race.

When Royal Crystal came alongside and overtook him he showed no dismay. All except the champion were off the bridle as the field came into the straight. Wizard Of Stocks took the lead which was cut short as soon as War Hammer was alerted to the task at hand. With each stride he distanced himself from the field to maintain his unbeaten record, proving that he is by a considerable margin the best of his generation, becoming the first in a long while to win the Bangalore Winter derby and the Indian Derby.

The property of Dr C A Prashanth, Mr Gautam Basapa, Mr B S Manjunath & Mr P Apana Subaiya has one more Group 1 to conquer to make his position undisputed. With the Invitation Cup being run in Mysore he will head back to his home turf and ready for the challenge at hand. He came, he conquered, and will be well prepared for the challenge on hand.

The first Group race on Derby day, the Rusi Patel Trophy, Gr.3 was won by 5yo Flying Visit (China Visit-Ooh Ah Camara) in sensational style from Bangalore challenger and favourite Cosmic Ray. The Imtiaz Sait-trained gelding was well settled behind Bateleur all through the mile trip and when they turned for home he was steered into the lead by jockey A Sandesh who was ready it give his all in what would be his 1000^th career win. It wasn’t going to be easy, for the favourite came with an incredible challenge as the two went hammer and tongs all the way to the line, racing in tandem, both unwilling to give up. Trevor put up a tremendous challenge astride Cosmic Ray, but Sandesh managed to win his cherished milestone by a long neck. He was later felicitated in the paddock for having completed his 1000^th win.

The day was filled with impressive performances and the 9¼ length victory of the S S Attaollahi-trained Forest Flame (Leitir Mor-Memory Bay) in the Ebco Worksmart Breeders’ Produce Stakes, Gr.3, started the ball rolling. She had announced her credentials, winning on debut in Bangalore over the 6f trip. She beat Golden Oaks by 5½ lengths and the fact that Golden Oaks came out and won later on in the day emphasized her exceptional talent. Forest Flame was well settled behind front runners Benghazi, Exotique and Rani Jindan. In no hurry to make his move, David Egan waited till they were well into the straight and then manoeuvred his way through the front runners and without fuss started pulling away from the pack. She was on her way back to the leading in enclosure when there was a consensus that this filly is outstanding, and will be hard to toss in the up-coming Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million.

Adding prestige to the most important race day in the year was the running of the S M Shah Eclipse Stakes of India, Gr. 2, which proved to be another potboiler. There were major outstation challengers in all the big races and this one was no exception. Roberta had come into this race on the strength of a recent victory over the same distance, and as favourite, was expected to repeat the performance. The pace of the race was hot as the gates opened and Steinlight was soon overtaken by Sacred Roman. Roberta got into third, the outstation challenger Salazaar on the rails, with Tasawwur running alongside. Sacred Roman was relentless and broke away by 5 lengths with Roberta in chase. Well into the straight Salazaar took the shortest route on the rails to launch a challenge while Tasawwur on the outside of Roberta took the challenge to heart. In the midst of this action Roberta got squeezed and as a result was pulled out of contention. Sacred Roman was joined by Salazaar and Tasawwur with Bronx and Truly Epic also making an asserted effort. While Salazaar and Tasawwur were battling it out Truly Epic came with giant strides, but it was all too late. The Irfan Ghatala-trained Salazaar (Burden Of Proof-Saddle Star) has his nose in front at the line and Truly Epic was a mere ½ length away in third, after his courageous effort. The battle royal saw a new track record being set at 1:59.90s.

Yet another outstation challenger, Golden Oaks (Leitir Mor-Messalina) made good as favourite in the B K Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million. The rest of the local challengers were aware of the challenge on hand, particularly after the amazing win by Forest Flame earlier in the day. El Capitan was passed by Isle of Skye who was then passed by Joaquin and Golden Oaks in the early stages. As they turned for home Joaquin was in forward thrust, stretching away with Golden Oaks in hot chase and Isle Of Skye on the rails. El Capitan had fallen back a bit, while Di Capprio got into the reckoning. Getting into top gear Golden Oaks drifted sufficiently allowing El Capitan to come back with a second attack. It fizzled out when the S Padmanabhan-trained Golden Oaks took charge and stretched away to a 2½ length lead over El Capitan. Four lengths away in third was Joaquin who should score next time out on the strength of this run and he was followed by Isle Of Skye. Golden Oaks will definitely be seen contesting the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million, however he will have to find a way to reverse tables on his adversary Forest Flame, who got the better of him in his first outing.

The S K Sunderji-trained Kildare (Leitir Mor-Awarding) had put in a disappointing run in the Indian 2000 Guineas but made good when brought back to the 6f trip winning the Padmini & Gobind Jhangiani Million by 3¾ lengths from Dandi March. Barack took the early lead from Storm Breaker with Kildare making headway on the outside. Kildare was being niggled while Storm Breaker was on cruise mode as they led the field into the straight. Kildare had Storm Breaker searching for reserves in the straight, Barack giving his all, chased by Dandi March and Questina coming with a challenge. But it was all over in a thrice with A Sandesh going to the line with a 3¾lead over Dandi March, and they were followed by Questina and Headway.

The final race on Derby day, run under lights saw some exceptional riding from jockey David Egan astride the Dallas Todywalla-trained Hidden Gold (Leitir Mor-Coccenella) in the Tattersalls Million. Copper Queen was quick into the lead with Warrior Clan ranging on the outside. Hidden Gold was running in eight position on the rails. As they turned for home Copper Queen was being challenged by Bonafide and Julio Cesaro and the rest of the field. Hidden Gold had to come five wide to be noticed and in doing so saw the challenge of Mighty Warrior being launched. Egan had to pull Hidden Gold back slightly and come round Mighty Warrior and at this stage was over eight lengths behind the leader Copper Queen. Copper Queen was shortening his strides while Mighty Warrior was taking giant ones to go face to face with the leader. Hidden Gold had straightened but was still not sighted as a possible winner. Even the commentator had the Copper Queen –Mighty Warrior battle covered and by the time he sighted Hidden Gold who had made up enormous ground he was already at the line. One length separated Hidden Gold from Copper Queen who managed to keep her nose ahead of Mighty Warrior. The day ended with a real shot of adrenalin and some great riding.