Full Speed for Poonawalla Derby
By Sharan Kumar

Bangalore
January 26, 2005

Full Speed has outstanding credentials to win the Gr.1 Poonawalla Bangalore Derby, the Blue Riband of the Bangalore Winter Season, to be held on Republic Day. The only thing that could possibly go against the son of Burden of Proof from accomplishing this feat is the fact that he is being guided by jockey Silva Storai who despite two Derby wins, does not inspire public confidence because her ability is camouflaged. She is capable of being brilliant at times and mediocre at other times. Everything hinges on the quality of ride that she is going to bestow on the immensely talented Full Speed who has everything going for him, his credentials enhanced by the imposing win in the Guineas plus the poor quality of the opposition. The opposition is not a threat but his going into the race as a favourite is a cause for worry because as a favourite, he has lost to mediocre horses in the past. He will be carrying with him the weight of public expectations.

Full Speed has turned out to be a money spinner. He is a very genuine customer and shown his fighting qualities in adverse circumstances which he showed when accounting for Berlioz in the Mysore Derby. He hammered the opposition in the Bangalore 2000 Guineas but surprisingly, his performance has it share of controversies; one poor run followed by a spectacular one. Trained by Irfan Ghatala, Full Speed will enjoy the tag of being the overwhelming favourite. The mile and a half trip should not bother him as his style of running has suggested that he is a stout stayer. He will be doing a great service to his sire Burden of Proof if he picks up his second Derby.

Full Speed (Ms Silva Storai up)

Ganapathy trained Forever Elegance burst into classic contention with a spectacular win in a handicap race early in the season which made everyone take notice of her ability. She justified the enthusiasm by winning the Gr.2 Bangalore 1000 Guineas and then followed it up with a win in the   Gr.2 Bangalore Oaks in a slow run race. The pace of the latter race, which was a crawl, very nearly went against the daughter of Placerville who, considering her breeding, should tackle the trip quite effectively and be a force to reckon with if there is a strong pace. Her dam Salute Her had won the Gr.2 Bangalore St Leger. She sports bandages most of the time but that should not deter her supporters from backing her. She has indeed made spectacular progress during the season.

Rashid Byramji trained Andreyan recorded two smashing wins during the Mysore season and heralded his arrival on the classic scene but a setback in training saw him out of action for a considerable period of time. He earned his ticket into the Derby by his outstanding gallop over an eight furlong trip which was easily the best seen in the last decade. Though the trainer was reluctant to pitchfork his ward straightaway in the Derby, he has been persuaded to have a go. He has class and he is by India’s outstanding sire Razeen and as such, there should not be any stamina limitations. The only worrying factor is his lack of a preparatory race as also the fact that he is being thrown into the deep end without being tested in tougher company.

Padmanabhan’s Randsberg is a horse which is stoutly bred to stay. He lacks the zip but the fact that he will not be lacking in stamina, should enable him to run a prominent race with an outside chance of causing an upset. Renowned jockey Richard Hughes will be guiding his fortunes. Big B finds himself in this elite company after two splendid wins in handicap races and his trainer Loknath has high hopes on this son of Pennine Ridge. Then there are others in the fray like the well bred Formidable Force who could prove bothersome if they run above expectation. The performance of Camarioca and Crown Secret is something one cannot be too sure about.