Kingfisher Derby may witness Gypsy Magic

For the first time in the history of Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby, the race will be contested by the full complement of 18 runners. In fact, there were 20 horses originally accepted to run but since the width of the course is such that it can only accommodate 18 horses, two horses had to be eliminated. The process was simple as the rules state that horses which have not won a race are the first to be eliminated. The second process was not required at all. Though the system adopted is widely accepted, the turf club authorities would do well to move with the times and take stake money in graded races as a prime consideration. This would have meant that Leonardo who had run second in the Colts Trial Stakes would not have been the unfortunate victim.

The Derby has an open look about it if only because the principal contenders have several questions raised about them. There is this question of staying ability of Sprint Star, winner of the Colts Trial Stakes and who is a final entry for this race at a whopping amount. Sprint Star was originally thought to be a sprinter but his fluent win in the Colts Classic has emboldened the connections to take a chance in the 10 furlong Derby. He has a few questions to answer, the important ones being that his win in the Colts classic was not a one off effort and that he has the ability to stay the longer distance in a true run race.

Aboline was the overwhelming favourite to win the Colts Classic as the son of Burden of Proof had won four outings in tremendous fashion prior to his defeat. Aboline ran no sort of a race in the Colts Classic and was off colour. Aboline has since then been working well and if the run in the Colts Classic is considered as an aberration, then he can be considered to be a strong contender as he has the class on his side. The Colts Classic did not run to expectations as all the principal contenders looked beat inside the final 300 metres itself and Sprint Star and Leonardo who were at the rear end of the field, came on the wide outside where the underfoot conditions were far better.

The well bred Classerville who is out of an Oaks winning mare Pleasure Hunt, is stoutly bred to stay. Since he was beaten fair and square by Aboline over seven furlongs, the connections chose not to run him in the mile long Colts Classic. Classerville has since then impressed in a mock race over the Derby trip and going by the manner, in which he was striding at the finish, brings him into contention as there are not many solid stayers in the race. Jockey Wayne Smith will be astride this horse and it all depends on how well the big field works on the mind of the jockey who is more at home dictating his own pace rather than go through the field where horses keeping swinging due to lack of control exercised by most jockeys in the fray.

The got abroad son of Polish Precedent, Polish Patriot is reckoned a classic horse by his trainer Padmanabhan. Polish Patriot made a belated debut this season and made it a winning one. He appreciated the step up in distance by recording a facile win over nine furlongs. Polish Patriot is stout hearted, has enough stamina and class to be in the thick of things.

Trainer Ganapathy has three horses in the fray namely Star of Marmalade, Mystic Quest and Fair Option. Star of Marmalade who is a full brother to the celebrated Mystical, has been a big disappointment and his performances thus far does not inspire confidence. Fair Option may not have the wherewithal to make a mark in the classics. Mystic Quest ran a fair third in the Fillies Trial Stakes despite looking as if she had just finished running the mile race at the paddock parade itself. She was sweating profusely and despite the poor looks she sported in the paddock, she ran a mighty race. One has to wait and see if there is any improvement.

Pesi Shroff’s Jacqueline won the Fillies Trial Stakes quite comprehensively. She was settled in the rear group before being improving places steadily and then showed a good turn of foot when drawing clear of the field in the final furlong. The King Charlemagne filly is kept in fine though the key to her success will be her ability to tackle the extended trip of 2000 metres. Though her sire was more of a sprinter, the stamina influence must come from the dam side.

Dr Vijay Mallya has three runners in the fray. Captivating who was rated as the best three-year old filly at this centre, hasn’t maintained her form. Spearhead ran disappointingly though he won a quality race at Mumbai in April. The got-abroad filly Astral Flash is rated highly but she is going into this race with the disadvantage of having been out of action due to an injury to her hoof in the early part of the season.

The overwhelming favourite to win the Derby is Padmanabhan trained Gypsy Magic. The temperamental daughter of Placerville has tons of ability but she is not completely focused. Her full brothers Smart Chieftain, Southern Empire and Classical Act have all been multi-graded race winners but none of the daughters of Stunning have done well. Gypsy Magic has given the impression that she hates to race between horses and has chartered her own path on the two occasions that she gave glimpse of her immense talent. Going without a run benefit into the Fillies Trial Stakes, Gypsy Magic did not have the luck of the race and was finishing strongly at the finish after having been overhauled by Jacqueline. She will stay the mile and quarter trip no doubt and if Richard Hughes is able to get her to concentrate on her job, she will emerge victorious notwithstanding the huge field that is in the fray.