Fynbos Wins Derby; Pesi`s Annual Ritual Continues

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

The Bangalore Derby is now Pesi Shroff’s private fiefdom, his mantelpiece groaning under endless trophies. This year’s Zavaray S Poonawala-sponsored renewal only confirmed it. Fynbos, star of the Fillies’ Championship, didn’t just win—she ruled, turning the race into her personal garden party. While rivals dreamed big and punters roared, she glided past with icy precision, proving once more that Shroff doesn’t so much train Derby winners as manufacture them.

 

This year’s renewal had a new sponsor in Zavaray S Poonawala in whose name the Derby ran, only reaffirmed the legend. Sovereign King, vaunted as the chief danger, provided drama of an unintended sort—dozing in the gates like he’d mistaken the Derby for a Sunday siesta. By the time he remembered to join the fray, the leaders were practically accepting garlands at the finish. In his own way, he was merciful to the betting public, removing the suspense of a close finish before it could even begin.

 

Prokofiev played the role with gallant resignation, delivering another earnest but unfulfilled charge to take second. But Fynbos slipped away, leaving him to gather more admirers than trophies. Yet there was one performance that truly lit up the undercard of the Derby narrative: Miracle Star, largely overlooked beforehand, produced a storming run to snatch third. From also-ran to emerging contender in the space of 10 furlongs, this was the kind of classic hint that should have winter trainers scratching notes.

 

Confidence in Fynbos was so high she was backed into firm favouritism for the Derby, while Prokofiev—despite his last-run whip-drop mishap in the Colts Championship—was next best in the betting. Sovereign King, meanwhile, was left at generous odds, with punters apparently suspecting something was off beyond his inconvenient pedigree (being half-brother to Time And Tide, a top rank sprinter unlikely to love ten furlongs).

 

In the end, Sovereign King didn’t so much fail the stamina test as refuse to sit the exam: drawn widest, he lost all chance at the gates, and negotiating that first sharp bend within 100 metres was always going to need either tactical genius or witchcraft.

 

The race itself was surprisingly civilised. Matisse, Fynbos’s obliging stablemate, played pacemaker, while Suraj Narredu settled Prokofiev handily in second. Fynbos, meanwhile, had a leisurely mid-pack tour in about ninth alongside Miracle Star and Red Bishop, who ultimately finished close up.

 

Turning for home, Suraj sent Prokofiev forward—he surged, giving connections hope of an upset before demonstrating an unfortunate lack of fuel in the final 100 metres. Fynbos, in contrast, ambled into top gear without fuss, gathering momentum like a freight train. By the final furlong Trevor Patel was practically planning his victory speech, so comfortably did she sweep past. Miracle Star kept on for third over Red Bishop, while Sovereign King seemed content to spectate from a safe distance.

 

The winner, bred at Nanoli Stud Farm, is a full sister to Zuccaro—who, unlike her, took his sweet time before turning into a top-quality performer.

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