Pronto Pronto lands India’s richest Derby
Imtiaz Sait trained Pronto Pronto nailed Severstahl in the closing stride of the race to lift Bangalore Derby in front of a record attendance on Sunday. The Colts Championship winner came from way off the pace and overhauled the entire field, finally necking out Severstahl to provide an exciting climax to the race which had to be postponed by a week due to industrial action by stable workers. .
The Derby day proved a record of sorts, not only for the record prize money on offer but also for the highest ever collections on the club operated totalizator pools which grossed over Rs 11.52 crores. .
With the withdrawal of ante post favourite Speed Six due to stress fracture, the son of Major Impact, Pronto Pronto enjoyed a decisive edge though in public perception Fillies Championship winner Lovely Kiss and Star Marquees (Intikhab) had better credentials. The latter was covering good ground in the Colts Championship and the extended trip was expected to suit him better than the rest.
The Manjjri Stud Farm bred Pronto Pronto jumped out from the widest draw and jockey Srinath confidently chose to settle him in the rear of the field. Considering the draw, Srinath had only two options: one to push and go to the front or settle back in the rear. He exercised the latter option which turned out to be a masterstroke as Pronto Pronto had tons of reserves in the straight when he had to devour plenty of ground to cover and make up considerable leeway. The fact that he did was thanks to his forceful riding as also because the jockey of Severstahl, Imran Khan lost his whip inside the final 150 metres which had a bearing on the result. Imran Khan is a jockey who relies more on the whip especially in a tight finish and without the whip, he could not extract that bit extra as he is not strong enough when he rides hands and heels in panic situations. Pronto Pronto was able to neck out the front runner to provide his owners, Shapoor Mistry and his partners, the first success in this big event. Romantique was the surpriser in the race as she ran on strongly to edge out Lovely Kiss for the third spot to provide Mumbai based veteran 1-3 in the race. Incidentally, the first two placed horses were supplemented into this race as final entries.
Trainer Imtiaz Sait had won every big race in the country barring this one. This win could not have come at a better time as the trainer was going through a lean patch for the last few years. The veteran trainer was delighted by the performance of Pronto Pronto and said: ``I was confident that Pronto Pronto would win as I felt the colts in the race were of much better calibre. The only worry was the draw but jockey Srinath handled the situation admirably.’’
``This win gave me the elusive Bangalore Derby. Winning the Derby in my home town gave me an additional thrill,’’ he added. ``Pronto Pronto is a horse who defies his looks. He is an honest horse with a great heart,’’ Imtiaz said.
During the draw of lots, both the trainer and jockey of Pronto Pronto were a bit worried after drawing post 18. The only consolation for them was the fact that two years ago, Aboline had won from that draw albeit making all the running. Possibly next time out, the widest draw may be coveted!
Jockey Imran Khan was inconsolable as he could not win the biggest race of his career. He was in tears and dropped out of his remaining rides for the day. It was a case of being so close and yet so far from winning the coveted race of Indian racing calendar.
Coming back to the race, African Queen took over the running as the starter dispatched the field for the 2000 metres trip followed by Super Duper, Magnitude, Preordained, Nearness of You, Lad King, Lovely Kiss, Romantic Kiss, Forever Glory, Star Marquees, Tiberius, Severstahl, Saratoga Spring, Pronto Pronto and Silver Spring. Jockey John made his move at around the 800 metres marker and pushed Preordained to take over the running from pacesetter Magnitude while African Queen had gone out of sight and brought the field into view. Lad King was the nearest challenger at the top of the straight with Saratoga Spring making significant improvement along rails side. The complexion of the race changed once Severstahl came through the centre of the track to take over the running with a furlong out from Preordained who weakened to fade out. At this point of time, Srinath was still manoeuvring Pronto Pronto from behind and judging by the lead that Severstahl had established, if one felt that the jockey had left the horse too much to do, he could not be faulted. However, Pronto Pronto’s patented acceleration saw him neck out the front runner at the post. Trainer Dominic, who had got his ward in ship shape, thus lost a dream opportunity with luck not favouring him.
Interestingly, the pace maker for this race from the famed gold and brown brigade was Magnitude who had beaten Severstahl in the Governor’s Cup over a mile in winter in the hands of jockey David Allan.
The Derby day normally sees an attendance of over 15,000 but this time, it swelled to unmanageable proportion with about 23000 battling for every inch of space. Rains kept away and racing was held in good underfoot conditions although there was significant cut in the ground.
The Derby day proved a record of sorts, not only for the record prize money on offer but also for the highest ever collections on the club operated totalizator pools which grossed over Rs 11.52 crores. .
With the withdrawal of ante post favourite Speed Six due to stress fracture, the son of Major Impact, Pronto Pronto enjoyed a decisive edge though in public perception Fillies Championship winner Lovely Kiss and Star Marquees (Intikhab) had better credentials. The latter was covering good ground in the Colts Championship and the extended trip was expected to suit him better than the rest.
The Manjjri Stud Farm bred Pronto Pronto jumped out from the widest draw and jockey Srinath confidently chose to settle him in the rear of the field. Considering the draw, Srinath had only two options: one to push and go to the front or settle back in the rear. He exercised the latter option which turned out to be a masterstroke as Pronto Pronto had tons of reserves in the straight when he had to devour plenty of ground to cover and make up considerable leeway. The fact that he did was thanks to his forceful riding as also because the jockey of Severstahl, Imran Khan lost his whip inside the final 150 metres which had a bearing on the result. Imran Khan is a jockey who relies more on the whip especially in a tight finish and without the whip, he could not extract that bit extra as he is not strong enough when he rides hands and heels in panic situations. Pronto Pronto was able to neck out the front runner to provide his owners, Shapoor Mistry and his partners, the first success in this big event. Romantique was the surpriser in the race as she ran on strongly to edge out Lovely Kiss for the third spot to provide Mumbai based veteran 1-3 in the race. Incidentally, the first two placed horses were supplemented into this race as final entries.
Trainer Imtiaz Sait had won every big race in the country barring this one. This win could not have come at a better time as the trainer was going through a lean patch for the last few years. The veteran trainer was delighted by the performance of Pronto Pronto and said: ``I was confident that Pronto Pronto would win as I felt the colts in the race were of much better calibre. The only worry was the draw but jockey Srinath handled the situation admirably.’’
``This win gave me the elusive Bangalore Derby. Winning the Derby in my home town gave me an additional thrill,’’ he added. ``Pronto Pronto is a horse who defies his looks. He is an honest horse with a great heart,’’ Imtiaz said.
During the draw of lots, both the trainer and jockey of Pronto Pronto were a bit worried after drawing post 18. The only consolation for them was the fact that two years ago, Aboline had won from that draw albeit making all the running. Possibly next time out, the widest draw may be coveted!
Jockey Imran Khan was inconsolable as he could not win the biggest race of his career. He was in tears and dropped out of his remaining rides for the day. It was a case of being so close and yet so far from winning the coveted race of Indian racing calendar.
Coming back to the race, African Queen took over the running as the starter dispatched the field for the 2000 metres trip followed by Super Duper, Magnitude, Preordained, Nearness of You, Lad King, Lovely Kiss, Romantic Kiss, Forever Glory, Star Marquees, Tiberius, Severstahl, Saratoga Spring, Pronto Pronto and Silver Spring. Jockey John made his move at around the 800 metres marker and pushed Preordained to take over the running from pacesetter Magnitude while African Queen had gone out of sight and brought the field into view. Lad King was the nearest challenger at the top of the straight with Saratoga Spring making significant improvement along rails side. The complexion of the race changed once Severstahl came through the centre of the track to take over the running with a furlong out from Preordained who weakened to fade out. At this point of time, Srinath was still manoeuvring Pronto Pronto from behind and judging by the lead that Severstahl had established, if one felt that the jockey had left the horse too much to do, he could not be faulted. However, Pronto Pronto’s patented acceleration saw him neck out the front runner at the post. Trainer Dominic, who had got his ward in ship shape, thus lost a dream opportunity with luck not favouring him.
Interestingly, the pace maker for this race from the famed gold and brown brigade was Magnitude who had beaten Severstahl in the Governor’s Cup over a mile in winter in the hands of jockey David Allan.
The Derby day normally sees an attendance of over 15,000 but this time, it swelled to unmanageable proportion with about 23000 battling for every inch of space. Rains kept away and racing was held in good underfoot conditions although there was significant cut in the ground.
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