Holding Court makes a strong bid for Derby riches

By Sharan Kumar
July 07, 2005

Holding Court’s win in the Gr.1 Colts Trial Stakes in record time notwithstanding, Flashing Star will be the most favoured one to win the Gr.1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby if general expectation is anything to go by. This is so because in the mile long race, Holding Court was grinding to a halt and Flashing Star was gaining ground on him and over this extended trip of a mile and a quarter, the latter is considered capable of turning the tables on his adversary.

Races are run and ridden differently over varying trips. Holding Court was ridden for a mile and jockey Appu took advantage of the son of Royal Kingdom’s ability to change gears instantly and went into a decisive lead which held him in good stead when Flashing Star warmed up rather late. It is also possible that had Appu waited with Holding Court into the straight, he could have won comfortably. But going by the fact that Holding Court has remained unbeaten in his last four starts and showing improvement with each run, the sturdy son of Royal Kingdom should weather the threat of his adversaries, notably that of Flashing Star, and make a strong bid to claim to the coveted Derby.


Holding Court (Appu up) winning the Colts Trial Stakes (Gr.1),
in a close finish from Flashing Star (B.Prakash up)

Though the Derby has attracted a big field, the outcome of the race is expected to be confined to the Padmanabhan trained Holding Court and Ganapathy’s Flashing Star. The winner and runner-up of the Fillies Trial Stakes are not considered classy enough to make their mark in this company. Amazing Striker who finished fourth and Arturo are the ones considered capable of making things hot for the fancied duo. Powerthrust goes into the Derby with three straight wins but whether he has the class to take on this kind of opposition will be borne out by the way he acquits himself in this race.

Holding Court showed out in his final gallop for the Derby. There is no doubt that Holding Court will stay the 2000 metres trip. He has enough stamina influences to do that and has a sturdy frame to accomplish it. Royal Kingdom won two races as a two-year old which included 1999 Gr.2 Royal Lodge Stakes and ran a 2000 metres race in dead going which caused him a minor setback. Subsequently he ran another 10 furlong race where he came back with an injury and was retired from racing. The Irish bred is out of a Grade 3 runner-up Allicance (Alleged), a half sister to Blushing Groom (Red God). The dam of Holding Court, Confiture, herself was a 10 furlong race winner at France and as such, he should be able to come home over the mile and quarter trip as effectively as he has fared over shorter trips. The ability to pick up speed in a trice at a crucial juncture is what can determine the outcome of the Derby and if jockey Appu gets everything right and judges the pace to a nicety, Holding Court should be able to provide the son of Fairy King, his first Derby success in India. Last year, another son of Fairy King, namely Burden of Proof, had a Derby winner through Fantabulous King.

Flashing Star enjoyed the tag of the best three-year old in India after his two wins at Mumbai. Flashing Star is no doubt immensely talented but he made his reputation by beating, on the first occasion, Color Bearer and Aquilo. While Color Bearer ran with shins in the Breeders Produce Stakes (Gr.2), Aquilo flopped miserably in a maidens race and then ran a close second to Flashing Star on the second occasion. On both the occasions that Flashing Star finished second in Bangalore, he was finishing on, giving an impression that he would be better off over longer trips. Flashing Star is by the imposing Razeen and deserves healthy respect. The connections are hoping that Flashing Star would land the all important race after narrowly missing out on earlier occasions. Flashing Star no doubt will go into the race as the most fancied one and it remains to be seen whether he will justify the immense confidence that everyone has in his abilities.

As said earlier, if anybody other than Holding Court and Flashing Star makes it to the winning post, it would be a big surprise.