Elite Zone wins a thriller
By Sharan Kumar

Hyderabad
Oct 2, 2004

In one of the most exciting races seen in recent times, Elite Zone and Petronius Maximus battled the length of the straight before the former clinched the issue by a whisker in the Gr 1 Deccan Derby, the Blue Riband of the Hyderabad Monsoon Season, held on Saturday. Jockey Gallagher drove like one possessed though he was not perfectly balanced to get Elite Zone to bring out that bit extra to edge out Petronius Maximus, who made the entire running, fought hard and lost in the final stride. Southern Regent, who was done in by the slow pace of the race and a bit of jostle approaching the final bend, picked up momentum in the final furlong, and was full of running to finish a close third. While Elite Zone spared a neck at the finish to Petronius Maximus, Southern Regent was an identical distance behind the runner up. Elite Zone thus lived up to the expectations of turning into a classic performer when he ran some noteworthy races
during the Bangalore summer season.

The outcome of the race was expected to be confined among Camarioca, Southern Regent, Elite Zone and Petronius Maximus. The last named who had come from Pune was not expected to pose a stiff fight to the Bangalore contenders but the son of Placerville not only ran above expectations but in the process gave indication that he could turn into a significant performer during the winter season back home at Mumbai. Petronius Maximus runs well when he is in front or that is what jockey Malesh Narredu believes because the gelding struggled to win a mile race back home at Pune by refusing to pass the other horses but getting into full flight when he was all alone in front. That is the reason why Malesh pushed Petronius to the front and had to use the whip half way through to keep him to his task. May be the use of the blinkers could do wonders. 

Elite Zone (M.A. Gallagher up) winning the Hindu Deccan Derby 2004 (Grader 1) from Petronius Maximus (M. Narredu up)

Elite Zone (M.A. Gallagher up) winner of  the Hindu Deccan Derby 2004 (Grader 1) being led by trainer Mr. Ganapathy

He surely looked well in the paddock and ran a great race considering his lack of experience. Camarioca did not run to expectations as she fought for head in the early part and plodded home to be fifth behind Crown Secret. Camarioca had won the Mysore 1000 Guineas and much was expected of her and the optimism was reflected in her being made the first favourite for the race. However, Pesi Shroff does not think highly of her. It is also possible that being a Burden of Proof progeny and blessed with too much of initial speed, she doesn’t like to be restrained. Remember Fantabulous King who ran a pathetic race in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes when he was restrained from running freely. Fantabulous King was a changed horse when given a free rein in the Derby.Petronius Maximus hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the 2000 metres trip with Elite Zone in striking position breathing down his neck while Crown Secret, Southern Regent, Noble Desire and Camarioca raced in a bunch. Approaching the final bend, Prakash was keen to move up and in the process was jostled in between Noble Desire and Camarioca which caused him to lose a stride or two.

Petronius was joined by Elite Zone as soon as the runners turned for home and both of them fought the length of the straight. With Petronius not giving up and jockey Malesh driving out the front-runner with all the resources at his command, a battle royal ensued. Gallagher too was in mood to give up and his all out efforts ensured that Elite Zone necked out the front-runner virtually in the last stride. Southern Regent finished powerfully and was a close third followed by Crown Secret, Camarioca and Noble Desire.

Elite Zone was indeed a deserving winner of the race and he is still to mature and as such, he has great scope for improvement. Petronius Maximus ran a brilliant race given his lack of race experience while Southern Regent would be more at home over a longer trip. Southern Regent’s performance should enhance the rating of Randsberg who had lost narrowly to the former when conceding weight during the summer season over an identical distance. All said and done, the first four placed horses do not belong to the elite group.