Rajan Bala, one of a rare kind

 .Once You Go Black wins Derby in a scintillating finish

Jockey Suraj Narredu literally lifted the James McKeown trained Once You Go Black past the wining post to ensure a short head win over Still I Rise in the Gr 1 Betway Mysore Derby 2022, the star event of the Mysore Winter Season. The Derby which was not held for two continuous years because of the Pandemic, produced one of the most sensational finishes seen in the history of this race

By Sharan Kumar

Jockey Suraj Narredu literally lifted the James McKeown trained Once You Go Black past the wining post to ensure a short head win over Still I Rise in the Gr 1 Betway Mysore Derby 2022, the star event of the Mysore Winter Season. The Derby which was not held for two continuous years because of the Pandemic, produced one of the most sensational finishes seen in the history of this race with Once You Black who looked seemingly beat by Still I Rise snatch the verdict by a whisker in the closing stride of the race, thanks to Suraj’s undoubted brilliance.

The race had attracted a competitive field of horses of established credentials and those who were making significant progress. Once You Black who had finished second best on two occasions, was widely expected to make amends in the Derby as the extended trip as well as his last fast finishing effort in the Guineas advertising his readiness to get what had eluded him thus far due to fortuitous circumstances. Once You Go Black was a strong favourite ahead of Arjun Mangalorkar trained Salento who had made rapid progress during the monsoon season after a none too impressive efforts during the summer season, had won the Deccan Derby in taking style and hence was expected to have a strong say at the finish notwithstanding the fact that the opposition was stiffer than the one he met at Hyderabad.

Though Prague was running after running fourth in the Bangalore Derby, was also considered capable of having a say at the finish despite this being the first run of the season. Sucre had disappointed most and there was belief that he could be seen in better light this time out. Still I Rise who had been running consistently on the local track was another expected to spice things up. In the event, the two Chennai based horses, Once You Go Black and Still I Rise fought out a thriller, with the bobbing of heads going in favour of the former.

There was a record-breaking attendance for the running of the Derby. Last Wish who was expected to do the front-running was sluggish at the start forcing Trevor Patel on Prague to do the front-running followed by All Attraction, Wild Emperor, O Kanhaiya, Once You Black, Salento, Still I Rise, Sucre and Last Wish. Jockey Sai Kiran who came as a replacement for Arul on Last Wish was unable to prevent his horse from bolting and raced freely and took over the running by the seven-furlong marker.

Last Wish led by several lengths but ran out in the straight to eventually finish a bad last. Prague who had the lead going into the final two furlongs was quickly overhauled by Once You Black who then surged ahead. Even as Once You Go Black was trying to consolidate his hold over the race, Still Rise moved up from behind with raking strides and joined issue. With Suraj on the favourite and Akshay Kumar on Still I Rise going all out, the two horses fought out every inch of the final furlong. Once You Go Black appeared vulnerable as Still I Rise drew level with 100 metres left in the race but the never-say-die approach of Suraj who kept the whip away and . went for a hand-drive yielded rich dividends as the progeny of Win Legend just about held on by the skin of his teeth over Dhruv Kumar Futnani trained Still I Rise by the skin of his teeth. Sucre who was running detached in the rear when all the exciting action was unfolding in the front, covered ground in the end to neck out Deccan Derby winner Salento to get the third position. Suraj had said that he was pretty confident of winning the Derby though he would not have visualized the script that unfolded on the track!

The Sovereign Orb from the stables of Sulaiman Attaollahi was rewarded for his consistency as the five-year-old son of Excellent Art fought out a stiff battle to prevail in the 1200 metres Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, clocking a smart time of minute 09.947 seconds. Padmanabhan trained Golden Oaks who has just two career wins but is still at a whopping 109 was backed strongly to win despite having to concede. weight to all his opponents had four-kg allowance jockey Salman Khan .astride the horse. Golden Oaks went at a good clip in front and was strongly challenged by The Sovereign Orb in the stretch. The two fought out a strong battle for supremacy before The Sovereign Orb shook off his rival and surged ahead in the hands of apprentice jockey Shreyas Singh. The Sovereign Orb had to battle his way to the post as Tactical Command came up with a late bid only to find the front-runner escape to victory. Golden Oaks weakened to finish third.

Prasanna Kumar trained Evaldo who had won the South India Derby and performed poorly in the BTC Anniversary Cup in July in Bangalore, was being pitched in the fray after a gap of 275 days in the 1400 metres Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, a race for horses rated in the 60 to 85. The solid preparation was good enough to ensure a one-sided support for Evaldo. The favourite did not disappoint, coming home with a wet sail down the final furlong to swamp the opposition for an impressive win. The consistent Caracas ran on to take the second position ahead of Peyo and Extraordinary.

Skyfire from the stables of trainer Pradeep Annaiah was another strongly fancied winner to oblige during the course of the day’s proceedings. Kishan Thomas trained Mystic Eye was the favourite ahead of Skyfire. In the event, Skyfire who travelled aggressively in front skipped clear in the straight and had gone beyond the reach of Mystic Eye who veered out under pressure and took a time to get into a rhythm. The late finishing effort could only fetch a neck verdict for Fernet Branca over Golden Division for the second position.

Aravind Ganapathy trained Serdar had showed out in his last effort and the strong support for his success in the 1400 metres Madras Race Club Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45, was on expected lines. However, close to race time, it was clear that a coup was brewing through Pradeep Annaiah trained Tough Cookie who came in for sustained support. Pradeep Chouhan kept Serdar a handy second behind The King N I who did the front running. Though Serdar was inclined to run out, Chouhan had the favourite under control as he drove out Serdar to a comfortable win over late rallying Tough Cookie. The King N I stayed on to take the third position. The lower division of the race saw an exciting battle between Super Sexy and Southern Force. The latter led from the start but was overhauled by Faraz Arshad trained Super Sexy in the dying moments of the race. Klimt ran on late to take the third position.

Lesser-known B Nayak drove out Md Khan trained Kings Speech to victory in the 1400 metres Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Kings Speed had run a blinder of a race in his last effort during the Bangalore winter season and the lack of efforts on the part of the jockey had resulted in him getting an extended suspension. Nayak took Kings Speech to the lead at the jump-out and successfully managed to keep the favourite beyond the reach of the well-backed Gemini in the 1400 metres Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Mr Humble ran on to take the third position.

Azhar Ali trained Able One was well backed strongly in the 1200 metres Delhi Race Club Trophy (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest category. Jockey B L Paswan brought Able One with a late run to land the spoils at the expense of Rudram and Memorial Time. Neil B Devaney trained Chain of Thought was a comfortable win over Immortal Guest and Regal Force in the lower division of the race.

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