PAST THE POST - A Review of the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) partnered by Signature -By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 07 Feb 2017
PAST THE POST - A Review of the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) partnered by Signature -
By Cyrus Naterwalla
After all the hype building up to this year's Indian Derby, the big day finally arrived and the 14 strong field were greeted by a massive crowd as the Blue Riband of the Indian Turf lived upto its billing and thousands flocked to the lawns of the Mahalaxmi Race course to cheer on their personal favourites to claim the ultimate prize in Indian Racing and the one race which every owner, trainer and jockey aspire to win.
There were lots of questions floating around pre-race which added to the eagerness and anticipation. Would Serjeant At Arms be able to stay the gruelling mile and a half trip and establish himself to truly be the best 4 year old around ? Would the gallant grey filly Hall Of Famer give the team of Padmanabhan and David Allan score back to back successes in the Indian Derby after the heroics of Desert God last year and give the trainer his 3rd Derby winner in a 6 year span ? Would Dashmesh Stud Farm who had not bred an Indian Derby winner since the great Elusive Pimpernel way back in 1995 return from the wilderness to claim their first Derby in 21 years ? Would the brave Oaks winner Temerity outstay them all ? Or would a complete outsider choose this day to run the greatest race of his or her career ?In the pre parade ring, the 2 favourites stood out from the rest on paddock looks both looking extremely fit and well while the others who caught the eye were Temerity, who seemed to have taken her race well and Supreme General with Mathaiyus also looking quite well.
There was drama at the start as Mathaiyus backed out of the gates twice after being stalled and upon examination at the gates was certified unfit to race and withdrawn reducing the field to 13. They broke to a lovely even dispatch but with no guaranteed pacemaker in the field the early pace was a steady one with Lucas finding himself at the helm of affairs from the greys Hall of Famer and Silver Beauty both prominently positioned with Vulcan and Winter Renaissance also well up with the pace. SerjeantAt Arms was well placed in 6th holding the fence and settling well, being tracked by Temerity with Highland Breeze on her outside. Mrs. Patmore came next keeping company with the South Indian Derby winner Salazaar with Bold March and Germanicus towards the rear and Supreme General last of all. Rounding the Hornby Vellard Corner, Lucas suddenly veered out and stopped galloping and it was here that David Allan made an opportunistic forward move and took Hall of Famer ahead to control the pace which he kept steady through the backstretch. Hall of Famer was still 3 lengths ahead of Silver Beauty as they passed the halfway mark with Salazaar having made significant headway to race a close 3rd ahead of Winter Renaissance and Vulcan. SerjeantAt Arms was still going well in 6th with Temerity keeping him company in the middle and Bold March on the outside. Mrs. Patmore came next followed by Highland Breeze who had lost position with Supreme General and Germanicus still biding their time in the rear. Salazaar and Winter Renaissance were the first two off the bridle as the pace began to quicken approaching the bend with the other principals all still travelling well. Hall of Famer entered the straight with a 2 length advantage over Salazaar and Silver Beauty with SerjeantAt Arms now making a smooth forward move to look a big danger, Winter Renaissance beginning to stay on under pressure and Temerity also beginning to gallop on the stands side.
But they had all played into David Allan's hands and his filly had something left in reserve so even though the Serjeant got to within half a length of her, she kept pulling out more when challenged and dup deep to kick on and score a glorious victory, sparing a length at the wire. SerjeantAt Arms probably felt the lack of stamina in the final 100 yards and just about held off the late finishing pair of Temerity and Winter Renaissance to be a gallant 2nd. Temerity ended up an honourable 3rd with Winter Renaissance running the race of her life and ending an extremely creditable and close 4th with these 4 pulling a few lengths clear of the rest. Hall of Famer thus became the 5th grey to win the Indian Derby, the 3rd filly and the first since Cordon Bleu way back in 1988 and gave Trainer Padmanabhan his 3rd Indian Derby in the last 6 years since In The Spotlight and Desert God – a remarkable training feat indeed. David Allan rode a masterful race from the front, controlling the gallop to a nicety and always having something in reserve when challenged. SerjeantAt Arms gave it his all and was given a perfect ride by Sandesh but just did not appear to get the trip in spite of the moderate pace which was to his advantage. Temerity established herself as a high class filly and was an extremely respectable 3rd but the miracle of the race was Winter Renaissance who was bang there in the firing line and ended up less than a length and a half behind the winner. Mrs. Patmore was ridden in restraint but could not land a blow at any stage and she possibly does not stay as well while Germanicus' limitations were exposed in this company. The rest were simply not good enough. All said and done it proved to be a thrilling and competitive race with the 3 main contenders all in the fray with a furlong to go and clearly the best filly on the day won and in doing so galloped into the Hall of Fame !!
(Disclaimer: Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
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