Rajan Bala, one of a rare kind

 Ranquelino stakes his claim for Indian Derby glory

 

By B R Sharan Kumar

 

Darius Byramji-trained Ranquelino proved he wasn’t just a flash in the pan but a full-blown thunderstorm as he stormed home in the HPSL Bangalore Derby, the biggest event of Bangalore Winter Racing Season on Sunday. Everything aligned perfectly for this emerging superstar: a meticulous training regimen, a penchant for the mile-and-a-half trip, and a turn of foot that could make even seasoned sprinters blush. Add to the mix jockey Sandesh, whose career graph is climbing faster than a Derby-winning colt, and you had a recipe for a smashing success.

 

The Manjri Stud Farm-bred son of Fiero left no room for doubt, relegating the Prasanna Kumar-trained favourite, Redefined, to the role of an also-ran. Redefined, another product of Manjri's stellar breeding program, carries the legacy of the late Phoenix Tower, who seemed to specialize in producing sprinter-miler types. While Phoenix Tower’s progeny might have struggled to sustain their brilliance over a mile-and-a-half, Fiero's genes sang a different tune, with Ranquelino comfortably hitting all the high notes.

 

Redefined came into the race with considerable hype, having bagged the Pune Derby by beating Santissimo—a horse that, let’s face it, wasn’t exactly race-fit at the time. To his credit, Santissimo bounced back like a champion, demolishing the field in the Indian 2000 Guineas. Now, Santissimo’s class has him touted as a serious contender for the Indian Derby, although sceptics might raise an eyebrow about his ability to stay the gruelling trip.

 

Ranquelino’s commanding performance, however, has thrown a wrench into these neat little narratives. The Fiero progeny not only proved he could handle the Derby distance with ease but did so with panache, clocking a swift 2:29.87 and stretching his winning margin to a cool four lengths. While Redefined tried valiantly to, well, redefine the outcome, Ranquelino shut the door with the swiftness of a sprinter and the stamina of a stayer, leaving the rest of the field gasping in his wake.

 

Sandesh’s ride was nothing short of masterful. He played the waiting game, tracking Redefined in fourth, before pressing the accelerator at precisely the right moment. Once the favourite attempted to seize control, Ranquelino breezed past him to record a Derby victory as emphatic as they come.

 

With this win, Ranquelino has positioned himself as the standout among the Derby winners from South India and Kolkata, showing the sort of dominance that makes him a leading contender for the HPSL Indian Derby. The Indian Derby looms but the once-clear picture has been deliciously muddled.

 

It was heartening to see Darius Byramji back in the Derby spotlight after what felt like an eternity. Once the golden boy of Indian racing, Byramji started his career with a bang, racking up major victories with the ease of a maestro conducting a symphony. His crowning achievements included two Indian Derby wins that cemented his legacy. However, the past few years saw him fading into the background, with successes becoming as rare as a sunny day during the monsoon.

 

Darius Byramji expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Sarosh Mody, the Director of Manjri Stud Farm, for his unwavering confidence and keen recommendation of the horse. "A special thanks also goes to jockey Sandesh for delivering an absolutely flawless ride," he added, acknowledging the brilliance of the saddle work that brought the race to a triumphant finish.

 

Ranquelino's triumph has now breathed fresh life into Byramji’s career, offering a timely reminder of his immense skill as a trainer. If this win doesn’t ignite a new streak of momentum for him, nothing will. Ranquelino’s Derby victory was not just a win for the horse; it marked the resurgence of a trainer who once dominated the racing scene.

 

For jockey Sandesh, this victory was another feather in a cap already brimming with laurels. After serving a suspension that sidelined him for more than a year, Sandesh has staged a comeback that can only be described as remarkable. Winning two Derbys in a fortnight is no small feat, and Sandesh has pulled it off with the flair of a seasoned pro. His victory aboard Knotty Legend in the South India Derby at Chennai on January 14 was a statement in itself, and his performance on Ranquelino further cements his position as one of the finest jockeys in the country. Byramji’s revival and Sandesh’s red-hot form have added a compelling narrative to the ongoing racing season.

 

Excellent Lass, a mare who seemed to have taken an extended vacation, was brought back with the hope that familiar turf might rekindle her spark. Suraj Narredu, who astonishingly finished the Derby weekend with a blank slate, took Excellent Lass to the lead as the field fanned out from the gates. Aquastic, living up to her name, flowed from the outside to settle in second, just ahead of the race favourite, Redefined. Meanwhile, Sandesh kept Ranquelino in Redefined's shadow, content to bide his time. The rest of the runners were strung out like decorations at a poorly planned parade, with Mansa Musa trailing far behind and looking like he might need a search party.

 

As the final bend loomed, Akshay Kumar made his move aboard Redefined, urging the gelding to seize the moment. Redefined obliged, surging to the front, but his lead lasted about as long as an ice cube on a summer day. Sandesh, aboard the unassuming Ranquelino, decided it was time to show the favourite who was boss. When the call to arms came, Ranquelino responded with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. Within moments, he had bridged the gap, breezed past Redefined, and made it abundantly clear who the real star of the show was. By the time they hit the final furlong, Ranquelino had stormed clear, prompting the crowd to hail him as the winner well before the finish line.

 

Redefined, who entered the race with a rather dubious preparation—recently gelded and with just a mock race under his belt—tried valiantly but lacked the sharpness to keep up. Nonetheless, he soldiered on to claim second place. The real surprise came from Mansa Musa, who suddenly remembered he was in a race and stormed past a host of tiring rivals to snatch third place from Mysore Derby winner Mandarino, who had run out of steam faster than a budget airline.

 

The race had been billed as Redefined's to lose, and lose he did—handing Ranquelino an opportunity to shine at nourishing odds. The Bangalore 2000 Guineas winner has now elevated his reputation significantly, and his connections are wasting no time, planning to ship him to Mumbai for the Indian Derby next Sunday.

 

The tight turnaround for the Indian Derby might appear daunting at first glance, but history shows that top-class thoroughbreds thrive under pressure. The prestigious Bangalore-Mumbai Derby double has been conquered before, proving that exceptional talent often transcends logistical challenges. Pesi Shroff’s Zuccarelli was the last to achieve this feat, showcasing brilliance and adaptability in 2022. A few years earlier, War Hammer, stablemate to the current hopeful Redefined, etched his name in history, reminding us that recovery time is no match for resilience when a horse has both grit and greatness.

 

Ranquelino now heads to the big stage with momentum, confidence, and the hopes of his connections. Whether he can defy the odds and emerge victorious on the grandest stage of all remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this son of Fiero has already made his mark, and his rivals better bring their A-game.