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Derby Comes to a Fairytale End
By Tom Krish | 08 Feb 2010 | MUMBAI
Jockey Y S Srinath with Indiarace's Krish
There is one person at Mahalakshmi on Sunday who let his imagination do the talking moments after the Derby. “We have a fairytale ending,” remarked Vivek Jain, Chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club.
The comment, at once, was perceptive and pithy. A girl wins four major Classic events in Mumbai. In two of those, she has the beating of the boys. She carried the hopes of thousands of fans and her success brought a smile to the fair sex. It was ‘amends time’ for the defeat Set Alight had suffered in the 2009 Derby. Jacqueline’s scintillating stretch charge provided the emotional high for those who had come to Mahalakshmi expecting a record-setting feat. Whether one was on Jacqueline’s bandwagon or not, one had to join in the cheering and be part of the exultation that followed the Indian Derby.
It is a hard act to follow after the post-Derby story written by Mahendra Mallya on Monday. He captured the essence of the glory of the big race and, in the process, gave us a vivid description of how Jacqueline rallied in the ending phase to the delight of the huge throng. I was Mahendra’s guest over the Derby weekend. His wife is gracious. Their nine year-old daughter is a delight. I enjoyed splendid hospitality and the food was out of this world.
“If you believe in the jinx theory, it’s time to rethink,” Mr Jain averred. The Pesi Shroff-trained filly halted the not-so-encouraging trend of public choices failing year after year. Should we continue to believe that the Morvi Cup winner will not win the Derby? Racing needs superstars and at the moment, Jacqueline is one such superstar in Indian racing.
The key to Jacqueline’s win is the fact that jockey Richard Hughes had an inside path. He was covered up as long as he wanted and he was able to stay within range of Becket, the principal rival. “I was not concerned when Martin (Dwyer on Becket) went ahead. I knew what my filly can do. The one good thing I did was take the shortest way. I chose to go inside of Becket. Yes, it may have given you the impression I was in tight quarters. When I got up to Becket, Martin broke away with a quick piece of acceleration. It took me by surprise but Jacqueline was ready. Once I had the lead, there was no danger. Tom, I want to refresh your memory. In Bangalore, I was talking about going to the well. Today, I had to go to the bottom. While I am thrilled I am part of the Jacqueline story, I must say that I beat in Becket, a good one. He will go places,” Hughes explained.
“Yes, I am flying back to London tonight. I’ll be back for the Invitation Cup. I hope things will go well until then. I will see you here in March, won’t I?” Richard asked.
Mr K N Dhunjibhoy is philosophical. “Tom, I have been in this business from the time I was very young. I have not owned a horse like Jacqueline. She is so special she tugs at my heart. Yes, I have three interests in the Derby. If any one of them won, it would be great but my emotional pick is Jacqueline. I have complete confidence in Richard Hughes. Nobody could have done a better job than Pesi,” he said in a pre-race conversation.
One who could not conceal his utter delight was Mr Vijay Shirke. “She (Jacqueline) is God’s gift to us. To have one like her, we are all blessed. All going well, the next race will be the Invitation Cup.”
In an interview, I asked trainer Shroff. “As a jockey, you won the Indian Derby eight times. As a trainer, you came close with Set Alight. How significant will a Jacqueline win be today?”
“All my horses are ready. Jacqueline is my best hope. She has done everything right. Winning the race as a trainer will mean a lot,” Pesi said.
Becket was glorious in defeat. I walked up to trainer Padmanabhan. The handshake was friendly but firm. I felt I was shaking hands with a winner. Padmanabhan’s enthusiasm has not waned. There is no doubt in my mind that he is looking forward to the first Sunday in March.
Jacqueline’s winning margin was three parts of a length. The time was 2 28.54 seconds, a record. A lot has been said about Jacqueline’s family tree. I will leave it to qualified people. Anil Mukhi is the best that I know.
I got to talk to Chris Hayes and take a picture with him. I loved the conversation with Silvestre de Sousa. He is a big time rider now. Martin Dwyer is a great communicator. He makes his points without any ambiguity. David Allan is young but thinks beyond his years. Niall McCullagh showed a touch of emotion seeing me after winning with Deep Purple. Mallesh exuded courtesy. I did not get a chance to greet Suraj.
Kieren Fallon does not give evasive answers. “Tom, I wanted to come to India. I am on a horse with a chance. The filly, from what I know, is the one to beat.”
“I will be riding full time in England and go places whenever Group races are held. I will make an attempt to be champion jockey in England this year. My odds have dropped in Britain. I’ll try very hard. I am looking forward to seeing you at Derby and Royal Ascot meetings.” Fallon spoke.
Trainer SS Shah was one of the players I interviewed. Shah did not have a runner in the Derby. Deepak Rajpal, the announcer, came up to me and suggested that I speak to Shah. Mr Shah readily accepted.
“I have won the Derby last two years. I do not have a runner today. I will not run a horse who cannot be competitive,” Mr Shah said.
Becket was forced wide and that extra ground Martin Dwyer travelled had a bearing on the outcome. It is not right to be dogmatic. Jacqueline did what she had to and that’s what good horses do. Now, she has an adversary who poses a serious threat. Native Knight was three and one half lengths off. Here is a maiden who has made phenomenal progress. Narendra Lagad should be proud. At the risk of being called an out of the mainstream thinker, let me say that Native Knight’s chances in March should not be taken lightly. Onassis ran on without hope. He continues to be on an upward curve. He is not out of the Invitation Cup.
Zarkava took the racing world by storm. Her win in the Arc was her swansong. She was retired in 2008. As 2009 progressed, the talk of the racing world was two distaffers. Rachel Alexandra won the Eclipse for being the Horse of the Year. Zenyatta beat the men in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 2010, in India, a girl is making headlines. Is this an indication of things to come?
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