The Gr.1 Kingfisher Derby Bangalore which offers whopping stake money, in excess of Rs 1crore, appears to be a straight fight between Alvarita, the only filly in the fray and Bourbon King. Both have impeccable credentials and have not done anything wrong in their lead up to the Derby. Between the two of them, Bourbon King is infinitely better performed and therefore enjoys a higher rating. The son of Diffident has also beaten Alvarita when the two last met in the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million at Mumbai. What then gives Alvarita an edge over Bourbon King? It is the mile and quarter trip which may tilt the advantage in favour of Alvarita.

But one has to reckon with the history of this race which has the nasty habit of springing surprises with amazing regularity. There are a few contenders in the fray whose potential is not known fully as they have not run enough and since they are well bred improving types, dramatic improvement can never be ruled out.

Alvarita was unlucky during her campaign at Mumbai where she won only one race and finished second best on three occasions. The got abroad daughter of Jade Robbery improved remarkably after coming to Bangalore. She adapted to the more salubrious climate of Bangalore and showed great maturity in a mock race and then by her brilliant performance in the Gr.1 Fillies Trial Stakes. Very few horses in the history of Bangalore racing have won classics with the benefit of a just a mock race and Alvarita belongs to this exceptional category. Alvarita has a fine temperament and she settles well in a race and is blessed with a devastating turn of foot which can leave the opposition stranded. In a course characterized by a short straight, where speed places a crucial role, the ability to quicken in a trice is what decides the outcome of a race. As such, a horse should have speed and should be capable of running with the pace on a track like Bangalore and on both these counts; Alvarita appears to be better off than many of her rivals in the race.

Alvarita (Jade Robbery - Shanley)

Alvarita’s style of winning in the Fillies Trial Stakes where she clocked a splendid time of 1 minute 37.81 seconds for the mile long trip was suggestive of the fact that the extended trip of another two furlongs is well within her compass. Her third dam Winning Colours was the winner of Kentucky Derby. Alvarita’s sire Jade Robbery himself was a winner of a Group 1 race at France and Alvarita is his only progeny to race in India. Alvarita has trained on well and her final spurt on Thursday indicated that she is in pink of condition and she should in all probability, provide her master Imtiaz Sait, his first ever success in this race.

Bourbon King (Diffident - Queen Ann)

Ganapathy’s Bourbon King hasn’t put a foot wrong since winning his maiden race beating Royal Ambassador after a customary trial run during the Bangalore Winter Season. He advertised his class when he beat Woman On Top in a timing of 1 minute 12.29 seconds for 1200m, which even seasoned sprinters find it difficult to clock on the Bangalore track. Bourbon King was then sent to Mumbai where he beat a classy field in the Gr.1 Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million. The beaten brigade included Alvarita and Our Excellencee. Bourbon King won the Fernhill's Palace Juvenile Million (Gr.2) at the start of the season and then decimated the opposition in the Gr.1 Colts Trial Stakes. But he clocked a slower timing of 1 minute 38.09 seconds compared to that of Alvarita.
 

What was of concern was the fact that Royal Ambassador and Western Command who were way behind at the final turn, were covering ground on Bourbon King who appeared to be slowing down. This is what makes one believe that over the extended trip of 2000 metres, his blinding turn of foot may be blunted. While Alvarita failed to catch up with Bourbon King in the 1400m Poonawalla Million, her performance over a mile suggested that she gets stronger as the distance increases where as one felt the reverse to be the case with the son of Diffident. However, Bourbon King is stoutly bred to stay on the dam side and he may well silence his detractors all over again.

Trainer Ganapathy has five runners in the race and his son Karthik also has a runner. The strength of gold and brown brigade thus is six in the 12-horse field. Badge of Gold was a big disappointment in the Colts Trial Stakes while Confident Victory is yet to translate his brilliance on the sand track with a matching performance on the grass.

Padmanabhan has two runners and they are the improving Western Command and Noble Prince. Western Command ran above expectations in the Colts Trial Stakes where he finished an impressive third with a good stretch run. This was Western Command’s first run during the season following his win in winter. The son of Alnasr Alwasheek is out of Amantran who is a half sister to the all conquering Exhilaration. Western Command has shown great improvement as evidenced by his preparatory workouts and since he has plenty of scope for improvement as this is only his fourth career start, he is the dark horse in this field.

The big made Noble Prince has won twice during the season but he does not have the rating to be considered seriously. He may be short on experience but there is no doubting his class. Noble Prince has shown plenty of promise though the Derby may have come too soon for him.

Amit Caddy trained Royal Ambassador has been game performer. He lost his debut race to Bourbon King and since then has won thrice besides finishing second best to Bourbon King in the Colts Trial Stakes. Royal Ambassador has surprised everyone with his improvement and considering that all is well with him, he may surpass expectations to be a live threat to the fancied runners.