Those of us who were fortunate to have watched the final of the mens singles at Wimbledon this year, would perhaps remember the words of Roger Federer at a post match interview. After a long and gripping match which lasted more than five hours and was decided on the last couple of points, Federer had said “Sports is a funny business. Unfortunately....there can only be one winner". While the fans of Federer had celebrated, those supporting Andy Roddick were crestfallen. They could only watch their hero, as he looked up at the skies and wept silently. The two players had treated the world to a spectacular battle on the centre court. One was reminded of all this while watching the final stages of The Kingfisher Derby, Bangalore (2009). The biggest race of the season ended with a thrilling win for Arjun Mangalorkar's Aboline. The bay colt led all the way and prevailed by a short head over Pesi Shroff's Jacqueline. The two brilliant horses travelled a mile and a quarter, raced alongside in the final furlong of this gruelling trip and had to be separated by a digital camera before the judge declared a winner. The Gods had apparently blessed Aboline on Sunday. There was enormous pre-race hype created around this event. It was the first time that we were going to watch a full contingent of eighteen runners vying for the richest purse in the history of this race. Gypsy Magic, Jacqueline and Aboline were considered to be the leading contenders for the crown. Richard Hughes had made the trip from England to partner Gypsy Magic. The filly needed to be settled in the early stages of a race, and Richard was the right man to do so. Gypsy Magic was expected to come roaring from the back. Jacqueline came into this race with a very clean record. She was easy to settle and was blessed with loads of stamina. Her trainer felt that she had improved nicely after her win in the Fillies Trial Stakes. Aboline was the highest rated horse in the field. His run in the Colts Trial stakes was too bad to be true. For those who believed the story of his physical discomfort emanating from a chest infection on that fateful day, this was the right time to nail the bookmakers. Aboline had worked the best out of the eighteen acceptors, and based on his Class and breeding, was likely to get the trip. Aboline had quiet support at seven to one. The three fancied runners were drawn the widest of all. Taking no chances whatsoever, Christopher Alford took a smart jump with Aboline from the outermost draw, and had little problems in sailing into a three length lead over the well drawn Classerville and Captivating. Jacqueline had settled nicely in sixth place while Gypsy Magic was seen travelling smoothly at the rear end of a well spread out field. Just as it seemed that they were going much too fast, Christopher decided to slow it down, and the runners began to group up in closer order. Aboline brought them into the straight and skipped away from his early pursuers. With Christopher Alford waving his stick, the bay colt began to draw away from them. Mallesh Narredu and Jacqueline had to come around the front group before making their challenge. The stout hearted filly responded to her master's call , lengthened her strides and the duo began to gain ground on the leader. The gap between the two of them began to shorten with each stride as they powered away from the rest of the runners. Aboline and Jacqueline were locked together as they hit the wire. A huge roar from a record crowd of more than 17,000 greeted the announcement of the result. Aboline had won by a short head. Arjun was delighted with the performance of Aboline. He had nursed him back to peak fitness and the horse had performed according to the handicapper's rating. His opinion that Aboline was bred to stay ,was vindicated by the performance of this well built colt. All champions can have an off-day, and that was one such occasion when Aboline had performed poorly in the "Colts". It has been a memorable year for Arjun Mangalorkar. The Derby successes in Mysore, Kolkata and Delhi were capped with the biggest one today. To do it with three different horses in a span of less than ten months is indeed praiseworthy. Aboline is likely to be rested in the next few months before getting him ready for the hectic Winter schedule. Aboline kept the flag of The Kunigal Stud Farm flying. His sire Burden Of Proof has produced some of the finest horses in recent times, and today's victory added to the sweet flavour. Pesi Shroffs Jacqueline was gallant in defeat. The filly did everything right except put her nose in front at the wire. She ran a mighty race and lives to fight another day. It is a delight to watch her in full flight. Her low devouring action will be very handy over the long galloping straight of Mahalakshmi. She has hugely benefited by making this trip to Bangalore. Gypsy Magic proved that she is definitely moody. She will gallop only when she gets into the right frame of mind. Richard Hughes was unable to rouse her in the Derby.She was totally disinterested in the proceedings today. For the rest, it was Astral Flash and Captivating who ran on to fill the frame. The rest of the afternoon was disastrous for the punters. Apart from Glory to Dancer and Table Mountain, the other seven races were won by lesser fancied horses. The Class I race over nine furlongs saw a spirited performance from Prasanna Kumar's Spark Of Gold. John took a good jump before settling him at the back behind Star Wave and Aristos. With the leading pair being suspect over this staying trip, Spark Of Gold improved steadily and stormed to a well worked out victory. Blink came from way behind to finish a close second. John and Arjun combined effectively while winning the last race and walking away with the day's honours. They were the only two professionals to score more than once in the afternoon. Table Mountain came with a long stretch run to keep Badge Of Honour at bay and win this mile race for horses in Class IV.. The winner looks suited to a longer trip. He must be followed if raced over galloping distances. The upper division of this event was won by Neil Darashah's Henry's Secret. The big made fellow was sporting bandages and was neglected in the ring. He carried his top weight to a very smart victory. Suraj held him up for most of the way before releasing his grip on him. Henry's Secret began galloping in the last 100 metres and collared the heavily backed Stormy River much before the winning post. The day's opener saw the odds against Pelikano rising alarmingly. The morning price of even money tripled in no time. Racegoers doubted his abilities to stay this 2200 metres trip. The horse had slowed down at the end of a shorter trip a couple of weeks ago. Rajendra decided to hold him back in third place for most of the way, before riding him for eventual speed. Despite the back breaking weight, Pelikano stormed home to add another point to the tally of trainer Padmanabhan. PS Chouhan ridden Glory to Dancer was the most impressive winner of the day. The three year old was facing a "dead" field , and his last run third over a mile was enough reason for punters to support him with confidence. The horse led all the way and won effortlessly. The poor quality of the opposition may be confirmed from the fact that Nearco Dancer, who had lost many lengths at the start, was able to run into second place. The rest seemed to be out for an airing. Darius Byramji's Alacrity and Padmanabhan's African Sky were the two most expensive failures in the day's card. Both were available at 35/100 in the betting rings. Alacrity had no answers to the smooth acceleration displayed by El Paso. This Hyderabad challenger galloped nicely for Imran Chisty and displayed his fitness. He will be a dominant force amongst horses of his age group in Hyderabad during the ensuing monsoon season. Edmondo led most of the way before ending a close third. The upper division was won by Attaolahi's Silken Thomas. It was considered to be a match race between Bourbon Bay and Oban. But in keeping with the trend of the day, outsider Silken Thomas powered his way to a grandstand finish. African Sky was making her debut in the only maiden’s race of the afternoon. The filly is a playful type and goes kindly for Lisa Jones. She was accordingly declared to ride her today. In the opinion of most track reporters, African Sky was supposed to be one of the fastest horses at this centre. They were right upto a point. African Sky darted out of the gates and led by a street till straightening for home. She stopped thereafter and surrendered tamely. Still Will won this race from Mr President and floored the punters by paying a whopping 200/1 at the totalizators.