Jacqueline storms into record books

Jacqueline[profile] created history of sorts when she won the Gr 1 McDowell Indian Derby, the most coveted event in Indian racing calendar in a record timing of two minutes 28.5 seconds in front of sea of spectators at the Mahalaxmi on Sunday. Jacqueline became the first horse to win four Indian classics in a row. Her Majesty in the past had won four Indian classics but had not won the Indian Derby. Pesi Shroff got the unique distinction of winning the Derby both as a jockey and now as a trainer. Pesi has won the Indian Derby eight times as a jockey which is also a record.Jacqueline who is owned by Vijay Shrike in partnership with K N Dhunjibhoy and Berjis Minoo Desai truly lived up to expectations of being one of a rare kind by delivering the goods in the most difficult race of her career. Jacqueline`s wins this season had been achieved without raising a sweat but for the first time she had to be fully extended to win but the brave heart that she is, showed the hall mark of a true champion by her fighting qualities. With about 350 meters left in the race it looked like Becket[profile] had sewn up the race as he cruised into a useful lead, with Jacqueline having to cover some leeway. However, Becket rolled out from the rails under pressure and jockey Richard Hughes was able to push the filly through the gap that materialized along the rails. The duo fought out for a furlong before Jacqueline put her head ahead and then won by a shade less than a length at the finish.

Jacqueline went into the mega event with the tag of being unbeatable. It was not without reason because of the brilliant nature of her wins. Becket who has had one niggle or the other right through his career was expected to pose a hurdle in her path though the lack of experience and the fact that he was being thrown at the deep end within a fortnight of winning the Derby at Bangalore. There was no denying Becket`s class but the only doubt was whether he would get the grueling trip in a true run race. Becket lived up to the expectation of his trainer Padmanabhan but his relative inexperience was a factor in his narrow defeat. Becket had always won pulverizing the opposition and in this instance when he went sailing clear, he might have thought that his job was over. However, he should be better off for this experience and one can look forward to these two battling it out in the Invitation Cup next month at the same venue. Surely the exciting denouement lifted this year`s edition to a different level. For Pesi Shroff who had the misfortune of not seeing his ward Set Alight win the event last year, Jacqueline`s win has provided some solace. `Jacqueline is an intelligent and brave filly who conserves her energy and has all the attributes of a champion,`` said Pesi Shroff for whom a Derby triumph appears matter of fact more than what its for lesser mortals. Trainer Padmanabhan who has coveted this race most having won every other Derby, this was yet another miss. Padmanabhan has had four of his wards missing out in close battles and an equal number finishing third. Aston Martin set a fast pace followed by Bruckner, Classerivlle, Mighty Crusader, with Holding Court in about the sixth position tracked by Jacqueline, Native Knight[profile] and the rest. Astral Flash graced the rear. With about five furlongs left in the race, Classerville took over the running even as Aston Martin dropped right back to the rear of the field. Classerville came into the straight a few lengths clear of quickly improving Becket, with Jacqueline some lengths away. Jockey Martin Dwyer had Becket take over the running with minimum of fuss and the second favourite went bouncing clear. However, Richard Hughes was equal to the task, getting Jacqueline into top gear and managed to push his ward through the rails. Jacqueline bravely took the narrow passage and after a brief duel, asserted her superiority. Native Knight ran on to finish third ahead of Onassis. Though the victory of Jacqueline was on expected lines, very few had bargained for the excitement that the race generated. Vijay Shrike who was winning the Indian Derby for the second time said: ``I am hard pressed for words to convey my joy. Jacqueline has proved truly exceptional. You don`t get to own an an exceptional horse like Jacqueline every year.``Berjis Desai who is one of the partners, said that Jacqueline had proved her mettle in most trying circumstances. ``I have worn the same attire on all the occasions when Jacqueline ran in the classics,` he said. Dhunjibhoy said that on each of the four times that Jacqueline ran, he wore a new set of clothes while his wife Deepa believed that the same attire would bring her the desired luck. Interestingly, Dr M A M Ramaswamy who has won over 500 classics in India still flaunts the same tie that he wore more than 30 years ago on all big occasions. Sohna Stud Farm which is going great guns bred both Jacqueline and Becket. Another Sohna Stud Farm produce Velvet Rope had won this event some years ago.