During the Bangalore summer season, Moon Emperor found even
the metric mile a bit taxing. More importantly, Aperitivo (by Diffident out of Dramatic Irony)
finished ahead of him quite comfortably in the two Classics they had crossed swords. It is another matter that they fought for the unremunerative berths against an elite company. In Moon Emperor’s defence it can be said that he was pushed against a classy company too early in his career.
The endurance power comes with experience and Moon Emperor’s bloodlines are not ordinary. His sire Placerville is a household name in the breeding industry while his dam
Menorah had thrashed a good field in the Indian St Leger over 2,800 metres. Crossed with Riyahi, Menorah had also produced two fine long distance runners namely Aroma and Avaglow. Unfortunately, Menorca has been the only full-brother of Moon Emperor to race but he too won a couple of middle distance races in his career.
The Derby contest, however, does not start and end with Moon Emperor and Aperitivo. The other potential runners like Formal Invitation, Exclusive Affair and Star Angel are no pushovers. Formal Invitation has also matched hooves against some of the best down South and has also won two easy races there, including one over 1,800 metres. Moreover, he was far from fully tuned when he contested the 2,000 Guineas.
Exclusive Affair, on the other hand, is a half-brother to Super Brave who went on to win Indian 2,000 Guineas, the Indian Derby and the Turf Invitation Cup.
But that was Riyahi’s blood which took him this far. The Alnasr Alwasheek-Baroque Pearl son is however, improving by immeasurable yardstick and he is the dark’un in the field.
Star Angel, who has won two fillies’ Classics the way she liked, does not need any introduction. Of course, she did not beat anything of consequence on each
occasion, but her runaway 2,400 m Oaks victory has left a very positive
impression and it may not come as a surprise if she is able to overpower her male counterparts.
