It's Cooji Katrak's day out, Venus Arising gives him his first ever Derby win 
By Usman Rangila

Pune
Oct 17, 2004

It was a team performance that was instrumental in the success of Artois in the Pune Derby at this venue last year; the Khushroo Dhunjibhoy team repeated the same feat again this year. The only difference was that Venus Arising played the central character in this blockbuster of sorts with Malesh Narredu doing his usual supporting act. However, the scriptwriter of Venus Arising’s success was trainer Cooji Katrak.

Be that as it may, it took no less than a sterling performance from the three-year-old filly Venus Arising to fetch the first ever Derby win at any racing centre for her trainer Cooji Katrak. The daughter of Steinbeck out of Lei and her saddle-partner ensured that there were no hard-luck stories to tell after the race. It may’ve taken ages for this cherished moment to arrive but the pain and agony of the wait was soon transformed into happiness when Venus Arising smashed the vice-like grip that Elite Zone and Southern Regent had almost snared her into.

Venus Arising (M Narredu up), being led by trainer Mr.C.D.Katrak

Mrs & Mr.K.N.Dhunjibhoy receiving the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby trophy from Lt.Gen.Thakkar

Malesh, taking an extremely courageous decision, poked through between the non-existent gap between the two Ramaswamy-owned horses and Venus Arising too was not hesitant to sneak in between the duo. Venus Arising cruised away for an emphatic victory followed by Elite Zone, Southern Regent and Gold Star. Elite Zone and Southern Regent came across a better one in Venus Arising and were certainly not disgraced in this defeat. Gold Star was an under-performer once again. 

A full house was present to witness the Derby proceedings and they were in high spirits throughout the day as the outcome of the nine events was, more or less, according to their projections. The only people to go home with long faces were the bookmakers. They got a virtual drubbing at the hands of both the small punter and the moneybags. These things are expected when the races are run according to the form yet there were a couple of races where the results very nearly went the bookies’ way. Both Delectable and Ness escaped from the clutches of defeat and the proverbial whisker separated them each from Dancing Image and Great Alliance respectively. Had Pradeep Chouhan-assisted Asian Express not veered out under pressure in the final stretch and were it not for the decision of K. P. G. Appu astride Goodness Gracious switch lanes close home, Frida Kahlo would’ve been staring defeat.

Cooji, for a change, played spoilsport for the bookies by saddling a popular treble. Frida Kahlo was one and he followed it up with the gallant Rosmini, who survived an objection from Exploding Wonder. Venus Arising provided the icing on the cake. Great Alliance would’ve been a bonus for both Cooji and the bookies but favourite Ness managed to pip him near the post. 

Venus Arising (M Narredu up)

Trojan King finally had his say when travelling a mile-and-a-half and tackling his three rivals with utmost ease. Blue Horizon too had her first glimpse of success when she overwhelmed Adam’s Star in the final run-in. Osprey went wire-to-wire to land the spoils for owner-trainer Hormuz Antia, who sent out Eye To Eye and Don’t Look Twice as decoys in this race. Both Lochmaben and Daol found the trip somewhat sharp to their liking. Blue Devil was also in receipt of enthusiastic support and the Rehanullah Khan trainee hit the bull’s-eye on this occasion. Irishman Mark Gallagher had the race in firm control as he chased Fire Dancer into the straight and swept past for a effortless victory. Despite finding a new abode in the yards of Dallas Todywalla, the luck didn’t change for Euro Star. The filly flopped once again.

Trojan King (C Rajendra up), winner of the J.E.Hughes Trophy.

Osprey (Neeraj Rawal up), winner of the Casino Nepal Online Trophy

Rosmini (P Kamlesh up), winner of the N.H.Dhunjibhoy Sprint Championship

Presentation ceremony of the N.H.Dhunjibhoy Sprint Championship

Blue Devil (M A Ghallagher up), winner of the F.A. & K.A. Irani Trophy

Presentations ceremony of the F.A. & K.A. Irani Trophy

Ness (C Rajendra up), winner of The Justice S.R.Tendolkar Trophy

Presentation ceremony of the Justice S.R.Tendolkar Trophy.