The Kingfisher Derby has not run kindly for favourites, with upsets being par for the race. That is because the three year olds are still to reach their peak and as such, one cannot be definitive about how things can turn up as form could fluctuate violently. Three-year olds are capable of showing amazing improvements so much so that it is difficult to say whether Spectacular Quest ran below form or whether Fantabulous King ran above expectations. Only much later in their career when form settles down, one can be more accurate. However, the victory of Fantabulous King was not a surprise because he was the best three-year old in the country notwithstanding his dismal performance in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes. There, the opposition did not beat him but he beat himself. As such, there was always this feeling that he could always bounce back if nothing bothered him. Jockey Pesi Shroff was of the view that Fantabulous King choked last time and felt that if he did not develop that problem during the race, he could still win the big event. Fantabulous King who sported a tongue strap, did not encounter any problem as he raced a handy second behind Moon Emperor before taking charge on turning for home and then holding on to win with a measure of comfort. The tactics adopted by Shroff went a long way in helping Fantabulous King not come under any pressure as he was not restrained. Fantabulous King had gone into the race with one of the best preparatory gallops seen during the season and looked fit and well.
Spectacular Quest who had smashed the opposition in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes went as the overwhelming favourite to win with Fantabulous King being allowed to run at fancy odds. In fact, stablemates Star Admiral and Elite Zone were the others in some demand at the betting ring. A bit of drama preceded the start of the race as Apperitivo reared up at the gates and landed his legs in the next stall where Fantabulous King was standing, hurting Shroff in the process. Shroff got off his mount even as the stretcher was being brought but luckily nothing serious had happened and it was only a scare. Moon Emperor settled down to lead the field after the starter dispatched the field for the mile and a quarter
trip, with Fantabulous King in second position while Full Speed was in close attendance. The gold and brigade, which had five runners in the fray, were settled from mid-group to rear with Moon Emperor setting up a comfortable pace at the top of the pack. Approaching the final bend, Fantabulous King was still traveling on the bridle and quite comfortably too but the others were hard at work. Fantabulous King surged ahead when asked for an effort and opened by a big lead. Shroff elected to race Fantabulous King in the middle of the course in search of good ground but the son of Burden of Proof slightly drifted out under pressure but he had the race firmly under control. Star Admiral finished on to take the second spot ahead of Full Speed and Blurr while Spectacular Quest was a lost cause. The progeny of Burden of Proof certainly enjoy soft going and though the progeny of Placerville too are expected to act on the surface, they have faltered when the going has turned ``dead’’. Full Speed ran third and he could profit if he is campaigned in monsoon classics.
