McDOWELL INDIAN DERBY, 2006: THE CONTENDERS 
By Anil Mukhi

Mumbai
Feb 03, 2006

Back at the end of the nineteenth century, it was Benjamin Disraeli, distinguished statesman and politician, who made the oft-quoted statement when asked if he knew the significance of the Derby. His reply "Yes, I do. It is the Blue Riband of the Turf" encapsulates in a phrase the importance of a classic event which is meant to be a "unique challenge that pits the best horses of the Classic generation, ridden by the best jockeys around a course unlike any other anywhere in the world, and that consequently creates champions".

Although Mahalakshmi is a long way from Epsom, the Indian Derby has its own significance and is designed to be the highlight of the racing year in India. A clear favourite for the 2006 renewal of the McDowell Indian Derby (Gr.1, 2,400 m.) is the Poonawalla-bred Mystical (Alnasr Alwasheek - Mystic Memory, by Malvado), winner of his last six starts, albeit by diminishing margins.

He is owned by the country's biggest owner, Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy (over 400 horses in training) and trained at Bangalore by Subbaiah Ganapathy. He will be ridden by Indian saddle ace, Prakash Bhosle, who immediately returned to top form, after a brief suspension, with brilliant efforts astride Mystical's stable mates Flashing Star (in the Poonawalla Bangalore Winter Derby, Gr.1, on January 26th) and Star Hopeful (in the Golconda Derby, Gr.1, three days later).

Mystical's most recent effort came in the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2000 m.) on January 7th where he eked out a one length victory over Democraticus (out of Mea Culpa, by Brave Owen), who is one of three sons of Royal Kingdom (Fairy King - Allicance, by Alleged) in the race, Holding Court (out of Confiture, by Empery) and Golden Triangle (out of Festival Flame, by Blakeney) being the others.

Mystical

Forecasting Mystical as the public choice on Sunday is a "no-brainer"! Yet, his undoubted brilliance raises a shadow of a doubt regarding his stamina in a truly run 2400 m. classic, which is usually contested at a break-neck pace. There is talk that an attempt will be made for a pacemaker to take the lead and then slow down the proceedings; if true, this is a hint that the stable entertains similar doubts.

On pedigree grounds, however, there is no chink in Mystical's expected stamina. His sire has produced two of the last five winners of the Derby and the runners-up in the remaining three, an outstanding feat! His dam scored at up to 2800 m. at the highest level and only the great Elusive Pimpernel stood between her and an Indian Derby victory.

Holding Court

If Mystical is to be beaten, the Bangalore-based trainer Sadakshara Padmanabhan might hold the key. He is sending out Holding Court, bred by the Nanoli Stud and winner last year of the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby (Gr.1, 2000 m.), always a good pointer to the McDowell Indian Derby seven months later. Although the dark bay disappointed in a couple of starts thereafter, he bounced back with a convincing win over course and distance last time out. Therefore there are no doubts about class and stamina, only about his current form. He is owned by construction magnate, Harresh Mehta, and the evergreen Irishman, Niall McCullagh, will take the mount.

Democraticus, who sports the "All Blue" silks of his owner-breeder, Shyam Ruia, and who is to be entrusted to Frenchman Samuel Fargeat, is also from the yard of Padmanabhan. The gelding has a solitary length's improvement to make over the longer trip to be able to turn the tables on his erstwhile conqueror. He is reported to have worked well.

Fillies have a good record in the "Blue Riband of the Indian Turf", with 15 successful in the 63 runnings, and the winner of the Dheeraj Arma Indian Oaks (Gr.1, 2400 m.), Romantic Liaison (Razeen - Veena's Pet by Steinbeck) will carry the flag for the Calcutta contingent. The three-parts sister to a previous Indian Derby winner in Indictment is owned by Deepak Khaitan, who hails from that Eastern metropolis, and is trained by Vijay Singh.

Romantic Liaison

Aristotle

Retained rider for the Khaitan stable, Christopher Alford, has chosen her over barn mate, the Calcutta Derby (Gr.1, 2400 m.) victor, Aristotle (Razeen - Excentrique, by Seattle Slew), who will be amongst the few not to have the benefit of a run on the sweeping Mahalakshmi track under his belt. The gruelling journey across the sub-continent, coupled with this lack of local experience, could hamper his chances. Western India ace rider, Mallesh Narredu, will guide Aristotle's fortunes on his Mahalakshmi debut.

Amazing Power (Razeen - Vision Of India, by Vision) shaped as a huge challenger when ending as runner-up to Mystical in the Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600 m.), looking as if he would have toppled the favourite with a little more to go. He got that opportunity in the Ruia Gold Cup but blotted his copybook by running fourth. Should he be able to recapture his earlier form, he could figure at the finish. His regular trainer, Cooji Katrak, has been suspended on a medication offence and the full-brother to Andreyan, King Of Hearts and Nationalistic is now with Hosidar Daji. Ireland's Colm O'Donoghue is to be his pilot.

Like Holding Court, Golden Triangle is a runner with a victory over course and distance under his belt. In fact the manner in which Bharat Singh's ward scored in the Irish Trophy on January 22nd was stunning, although admittedly against modest company. Reports are that owner Harresh Mehta has recently parted with a share in the gelding to Shapoor Mistry of the Manjri Stud and that the latter's retained rider, C. Rajendra, will do duty.

Golden Triangle

Upsets are not impossible, as the victories of Star Of Gwalior (in 1956) and Pyare Miya (in 1975) show. However, in those days, most of the Derby runners were lightly raced, and hence open to unheralded improvement. Nowadays, the best candidates are completely exposed form-wise, and one can hardly countenance any of the remaining participants proving successful on February 5th.