Mountain Jewel Stuns Favourite in Derby Thriller

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

Jockey Anthony Raj seems to be galloping faster than the inflation rate these days. The man can’t stop winning. From Mysore to Hyderabad, he’s been on a first-name basis with the winning post. His latest conquest — the Gr.1 Race2win Foundation Hyderabad Deccan Derby on Sunday at Malakpet aboard Prasanna Kumar-trained Mountain Jewel — only added another gem to his crown.

 

On paper, Mountain Jewel was the “lesser fancied runner.” On the track, she was a rebel with a cause. When the gates opened, Matisse wasted no time proving that running wasn’t on his to-do list, unseating Kritish Bhagat almost as soon as the gates opened. Mindful took over the lead (perhaps mindful that someone had to), followed by Northern Waves, with Andre, Tolkien, Knight Regent, Super Star, Term Deposit, Red Bishop, Arrived, and finally Mountain Jewel bringing up the rear.

 

As they swung into the straight, Mindful’s enthusiasm began to fade. Northern Waves briefly threatened, before Red Bishop — the punters’ darling — loomed large on the outside, ridden with muscle and menace by Trevor Patel. But wait — flying even wider, practically needing her own postal code, came Mountain Jewel, whose “lethargic starts” are apparently just her way of adding suspense.

 

And what a finish it was. Red Bishop and Mountain Jewel went eyeball to eyeball in a duel fit for gladiators, minus the swords but with just as much drama. Trevor Patel threw everything but the saddle at his mount, but Anthony Raj, in irresistible form, simply refused to blink. The Deauville filly dug in, found another gear, and nosed ahead — winning by a neck and confirming that underdogs don’t just bark; sometimes they bite.

 

Behind them, Northern Waves was third, a good seven lengths adrift, while Tolkien took fourth, presumably still writing about it. As for Arrived, well, he lived up to his name — only too late to matter, finishing a flat fifth. His Pune form stayed back home, along with the hype.

 

For trainer Prasanna Kumar, this was his maiden Deccan Derby triumph, and what a way to announce himself — dethroning the usual heavyweights with a filly who clearly hadn’t read the script. As for Anthony Raj, having already pocketed a Guineas double at Mysore, he’s fast turning into the horse racing equivalent of a cheat code. Mountain Jewel’s win was the first big classic success for the new resident stallion of Usha Stud Farm Deauville.

The rains stayed away, the track held firm, and the crowd got its money’s worth — unless, of course, they’d backed the favourite. In that case, they got a fine lesson in humility, courtesy of Mountain Jewel.

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