Full brother to Indian Triple Crown winner and Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore
Derby, Smart Chieftain, Southern Empire is blessed with all the
attributes that are the hallmark of a champion. He has class, speed and
capable of digging deep into reserves should the need arise. He won his
first five races in common canter and the only time he was stretched to
the full was in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes where Running Bull gave him
a scare. May be it was one of those off days for Southern Empire. This
is what the majority believes and there is no reason to dispute their
claim. Southern Empire has done everything right in his lead up to the
Blue Riband event of the season and jockey Prakash has chosen him ahead
of Haunting Memories. There is no reason to look beyond Southern Empire
and the vast majority of race goers will share this optimism.
Southern Empire is the highest rated horse in the fray and Haunting
Memories comes next in the rankings. Full sister to Six Speed, Haunting
Memories has taken after her sister, and has carved a similar path
leading to the Derby. Six Speed, however, faltered in the Derby, losing
by a whisker when victory was in sight. Haunting Memories may have
stamina limitations but she is more strongly built than Six Speed and
her amazing turn of foot is what can floor her opponents. The Derby will
put to rest the speculation as to how superior Southern Empire is to his
contemporaries. When Southern Empire beat Running Bull by a shade less
than two lengths, breeder Zavary Poonawalla was crestfallen. He was
expecting Southern Empire to romp home. Such is the expectation
generated by Southern Empire.
Padmanabhan has two formidable runners in the fray. The son of Alansar
Alwasheek, Running Bull who was highly temperamental, has settled down
after being gelded and in his first run in the season, did the
unexpected - running Southern Empire close. Running Bull has the
breeding to get the extended trip of mile and quarter well and has
trained on superbly. If the inexperience of Suraj Narredu does not
affect the performance of Running Bull, race-goers are in for a real
treat.
Red Eagle has been rushed into this race after his spectacular win in a
Sprinters Million. Red Eagle's debut during the season was interrupted
because of an injury to the hoof but he has recovered remarkably and was
targeted for the Sprinters Million as he had the class and speed to
overcome the sharpness of the trip. After Red Eagle's sensational win,
the big made grey worked outstandingly in his final gallop and earned
his place in the line up. Red Eagle has in him to extend the best and
how best he fares determines his future.
Imtiaz Sait trained Lombardia has been on the upgrade. The filly that
won twice at Mumbai, ran creditably in the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes,
finishing behind Haunting Memories. She is in the fray as a final entry
and considering the fact the extended trip suits her fine, Lombardia has
aroused high expectations in the connections as well as those who swear
by her high quality wins back home at Mumbai.
Another Mumbai challenger Lahinch is rated highly but he lacks the speed
to make his presence felt in this exalted set. However, his jockey
Malcolm Kharadi thinks a world of him and believes that those who ignore
Lahinch will be doing so at his own peril!
