Spectacular win for Holding Court
By Sharan Kumar

Bangalore
Jul 10, 2005

Padmanabhan’s Holding Court put to rest all doubts about his lasting out the mile and a quarter trip, by slamming the opposition in the Gr.1 Kingfisher Derby like no other horse had done in the history of this race. Holding Court held centre stage on Sunday, leaving the field for dead at the top of the straight to win by a widening margin of nine lengths over Flashing Star and Powerthrust. Only Classical Act in the recent past had won as brilliantly though not by such a huge margin. Holding Court’s win ensures him the top ranking among his contemporaries and heralds the arrival of the new sire sensation Royal Kingdom (Fairy King).

The win was doubly satisfying for trainer Padmanabhan who won his first Summer Derby as he was also the person responsible for the purchase of Royal Kingdom by the syndicate of three breeders namely Shyam Ruia, Khusro Dhunjibhoy, and Shapoor Mistry. Incidentally, another son of Fairy King, Burden of Proof, sired Fantabulous King the winner of last year's Kingfisher Derby. A crowd of over 12,000 witnessed the proceedings on Sunday which saw the club operated totalisator pools touch a new high, with a turnover of over Rs.5.30 crores!

Mr.Padmanabhan &  Mr.Harish N.Mehta
with their Derby winner
Holding Court (Appu up)

Mr. Harish N. Mehta with the coveted Kingfisher Derby trophy

Holding Court had reeled off four wins in a row but his win in the Gr.1 Colts Trial Stakes was not considered impressive because Flashing Star had come perilously close to toppling him. Over the extended trip of a mile and a quarter, Holding Court was thought to be fallible to Flashing Star. Added to this, Flashing Star had come to Bangalore with the reputation of being the best horse in the country after his two wins at Mumbai which were both achieved at the expense of Aquillo who is still a maiden. But then with the professionals in the sport touting their view that Flashing Star was undoubtedly the best and Holding Court was lucky to have won even the Colts Trial Stakes, it was only expected that the direction of public money was going to be ill-directed. Holding Court had the breeding to go the extended trip and very few read the running of the Colts Trial Stakes properly.

In a race which was run at a scorching pace, jockey Appu, moving too soon, made his run at the steep gradient that characterizes the Bangalore track and as a result, he was slowing down at the finish. Flashing Star was gaining ground not because he had picked up speed perceptibly but because  Holding Court was grinding to a halt. With a better quality ride, Holding Court’s brilliant turn of foot was capable of being used to the fullest to help him stretch the winning streak. In the event, it proved so as jockey Appu rode a brilliant race, waiting with Holding Court well into the straight and then letting the son of Royal Kingdom do the decimating act. Appu has two Derby wins to his credit at Hyderabad and this is his first and most prestigious success in his career. "Appu rode a copy book race and followed instructions splendidly" said trainer Padmanabhan. The win also provided his owner Harish Mehta with his first taste of big success. "I was waiting for two decades to get to the BTC’s 'Wall of Fame' and I am extremely thrilled that this has been realised in this spectacular fashion,’’ said Padmanabhan who led in the winner with a big smile on his face. The leading in pictures of all Bangalore Summer Derby winners are displayed on the walls of the BTC leading up to the main lounge.
 

Mrs.K.N.Dhunjibhoy receiving the Breeder's prize
from Mrs. Rekha Mallya

It rained half an hour before the start of the Derby but the character of the track did not change and the going was good. Arturo streaked into the lead as the starter dispatched the field for 2000 metres trip, followed by Finest Moment, Galloping Bay, Caprese and Holding Court, with Flashing Star improving from the rear at the first bend though traveling wide, Integrate who was slowly off was in the rear with Amazing Striker and the rest. Appu sat still in the fifth position and was unhurried. Flashing Star tracked the second favourite right through the trip. Holding Court was traveling well within himself even as the field approached the final bend and was gaining places on the front-runners without Appu having to move a muscle. Holding Court loomed large on the scene at the top of the straight with Flashing Star niggled to keep pace with him. When Appu gave Holding Court the signal, the response was instant. Holding Court bounced away into a big lead even as Flashing Star was taking time to get into his rhythm. In the meanwhile, Powerthrust had gained places from the rear along the rails to show up prominently. Holding Court was in no mood to relent this time out as he went away for a win by nine lengths despite being eased up in the final stages of the race. Flashing Star beat Powerthrust for the runner-up berth. Integrate ran on from behind to finish fourth ahead of Arturo.
 

The day’s other impressive winner came in the 1400 metres Hyderabad Cup where Michael Eshwer’s Salvatore won in a manner that makes his future progress worth following. Laid low by a knee chip operation during the winter season, the son of Burden of Proof made a belated debut but nevertheless beat the opposition pointless. The Gr.3 Usha Stud Summer Million, where he will be well served by the terms of the race, could be worth exploring for his connections.

Adesina found the 2000 metres trip rather too long for comfort and caved in tamely after raising hopes in the final furlong. Hyderabad’s Friendly Fire who had run a fair race in the Gr.1 Golconda Derby, exploited the pull in weights to decisive advantage and won convincingly.

Admiral’s Force has won two races over a sprint though his breeding suggests that he should be tackling more ground. He went into the 1200 metres Mumbai Cup as an overwhelming favourite to win but found his match in the temperamental Tribal Fantasy who led from the word 'go' and refused to give in finally winning with a great deal of comfort. Opera Queen ran on to finish third with Perpetuate finding foot too late for comfort.

Ranier who had been dogged by various problems, asserted his superiority in the 1400 metres R M Puttanna Memorial Cup with a start to finish dash. Pamela Bordes, running after a long lay off, had an useful outing when finishing from way behind to be an eye-catching second. She is too good to miss next time out. Pamela Bordes hasn’t run since the last monsoon season where she finished fourth to Only For Gold in the Hyderabad Fillies Trial Stakes.

In the day’s other action, Nitrayanad trained Mazeppa recorded an encore, beating Sense of Style with a good stretch run while Princess Chand ruled supreme in the other division of the same race.

Princess Chand (Mahendran up) winner of the Delhi Cup (Div.II) being led in by owners ,  Mr.Siddaramu, Dr.Vijay Simha, Mr.Sultan Singh & trainer Mr.Samar Singh