B R Sharan Kumar

  Fynbos Romps to Derby Glory as Baychimo Fails to Fire   The Indian Derby, billed as a fierce two-horse showdown and a clash of titans, dissolved into a one-horse parade when it mattered. What was meant to be a thunderclap contest arrived more like a polite knock, with the suspense switching off early. Fynbos stamped total authority on the race, treating the field like routine paperwork and clearing it without delay, giving Tom Marquand his first Indian winner at Mahalakshmi. Baychimo, expected to mount the challenge, never found rhythm and remained a non-factor throughout, leaving the margin and the message equally decisive.     By Sharan Kumar   The Indian Derby, billed as a fierce two-horse showdown and a clash of titans, dissolved into a one-horse parade when it mattered. What was meant to be a thunderclap contest arrived more like a polite knock, with the suspense switching off early. Fynbos stamped total authority on the race, treating the field like rout...

  Comic Plot Twists on Indian Derby Day   By Sharan Kumar   Punters once again sat down with what they thought was a race card and discovered it was actually one of Pesi’s patented cryptic crosswords, printed without clues and solved only after the race is over. The Gr 2 Thackers Eclipse Stakes turned into another brain teaser where confidence went in bold and results came in invisible ink. Psychic Star was the people’s banker, but King Ke, attending his first graded party, walked away with the silverware. Thalassa sneaked up the rails late to grab second from the multi-classic hero Psychic Star. Several with respectable resumes, including Regina Memorabilis and Guineas placegetter Namiri, chose Derby day to conduct a disappearing act. When top yards throw curveballs instead of winners, punters start reading philosophy.   Karthik Ganapathy’s Buckingham at least behaved like a well-briefed favourite in the Rattonsey Million. He justified the buzz and held ...

Time And Tide Scores Impressive Sprint Victory on Return   By Sharan Kumar   Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Time And Tide is undoubtedly one of the sprinters seen in the last decade and that is not faint praise. The progeny of Dali reappeared after a Pune win in September and behaved like a star who skipped rehearsals but still stole the show on opening night. Ring rust tried to cling on, but class gave it a polite shove aside. Taking his time to warm up like a vintage engine, he unleashed his trademark late burst to collar the front-running Dream Seller, who fought bravely before being demoted to honourable mention. Miss American Pie rallied late for third, Credence completed the frame, and Jade politely declined to participate in pre-race expectations.   Time And Tide was offered at odds generous enough to make believers feel clever and doubters feel nervous. Credence zipped to the front, Dream Seller tracked, and Time And Tide sat poised in second, clearly in no mood for ...

 Baychimo Appears to Hold the Key to the Derby Puzzle By Sharan Kumar This year’s Indian Derby presents a rare four-way puzzle, with Baychimo, Fynbos, Zacharias and Sovereign King all arriving with form and pedigree to command serious respect. Among them, Baychimo holds a narrow but logical edge. While the final 2400-metre test still awaits, his ability to overcome adversity and his effortless, record-breaking Ruia Cup performance strongly suggest he is ready for the ultimate examination. Baychimo, by French Navy, carries the stamp of the Shamardal line, speed with substance and efficiency. His Guineas victory from an impossible position and his Ruia Cup demolition over 2000 metres in course-record time suggest a colt whose cruising speed is his oxygen. With champion jockey Suraj Narredu now in the saddle, Baychimo looks the sort who can stretch his pedigree rather than be trapped by it. The extra 400 metres is an examination, but not an ambush. Fynbos, the Oaks-winning filly by Ki...