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Queen Filly Set To Wear The Derby Sash

By Pearcey | 10 Jul 2008 | BANGALORE


Set Alight

The name "Kingfisher" has been synonymus with the Bangalore Summer Derby since the year 1988, when the first edition of this race was run, and won by Treasure Girl. The last twenty years have seen many champions having a tilt at the most prestigious event in the Bangalore Summer racing calender. The Kingfisher Derby is a true test of speed and stamina, and many winners of this race have gone on to make a mark in the Indian Classics. The fillies have competed with the colts, and emerged triumphant on eight occasions. The last filly to win this race was Glorious Colours in 2003. The name "Kingfisher" has been synonymus with the Bangalore Summer Derby since the year 1988, when the first edition of this race was run, and won by Treasure Girl. The last twenty years have seen many champions having a tilt at the most prestigious event in the Bangalore Summer racing calender. The Kingfisher Derby is a true test of speed and stamina, and many winners of this race have gone on to make a mark in the Indian Classics. The fillies have competed with the colts, and emerged triumphant on eight occasions. The last filly to win this race was Glorious Colours in 2003. The year 2008 has so far belonged to Set Alight (Razeen -Set Aside). She towers over her rivals in terms of performances, records and most importantly the ratings assigned to three year olds by the official handicapper. She is rated 108 in the handicapping system and this is a unique achievement. A three year old being rated so high, and that too in the month of June, is very rare. She towers over the eight colts that have accepted to oppose her. Archipenko at 86 is the next best rated horse in the field. The unbeaten Set Alight is a modest looker. She is light on her toes and has immense reserves of stamina. She settles beautifully and accelerates when required. Champion trainer Pesi Shroff understands her needs, and looks after her accordingly. Her timing and style of winning the Fillies Trial Stakes was superb. Mallesh Narredu was ecstatic when he had dismounted after winning that race, and announced that he "can’t wait to ride her in the Derby". Racegoers wait with bated breath to see if Set Alight can make it "Number Six" for Dr Vijay Mallya. The moment has arrived. The Derby weekend is round the corner. Many had been awaiting a clash between Set Alight and Fleeting Arrow. The latter had won The Colts Trial Stakes and confirmed his superiority amongst the Colts and Geldings. Fleeting Arrow had never lost a race on the Bangalore track. But a setback in training has forced Fleeting Arrow to miss the Derby. Archipenko, who had finished a close second to Fleeting Arrow in the Colts, is now expected to lead the challenge against the champion filly. On the basis of the data available with racegoers, it is difficult to look beyond Set Alight as the winner of this year's running of The Kingfisher Derby Bangalore (Grade I). In all probability, Set Alight shall start as the shortest priced favourite in the history of this race. Archipenko is expected to be her closest challenger. Indiarace spoke to a cross section of trainers and jockeys at Bangalore, and we are happy to reproduce below, what each one of them had to say about the Derby to be run on Sunday. Pesi Shroff ...My filly Set Alight is well within herself. I hope she will win on Sunday. Darius Byramji...Everybody has to beat Set Alight. I am delighted with the improvement shown by Archipenko. I hope he runs well. S Padmanabhan...It will be set alight all the way. Please don’t look beyond her. B Puttanna...We are lucky to see such a good horse running in the Derby. It is after many years that this is happening. I hope she wins. I would like to wish them "Good Luck". Arjun Mangalorkar...Set Alight is the most outstanding filly to race in recent times. She should be able to tackle the opposition and emerge as an easy winner of this race. S Ganapathy...I am hoping for the best. I have four good runners in the Derby. I will be happy if any one of them comes out and wins this race. M Narredu..Set Alight is the best filly that I have ridden. I rode her on both the occasions that she won at Bangalore. Her runs have been suggestive and she has given me a great feeling that she will stay. She keeps getting stronger and stronger as the race progresses. God Willing, I should win the big one on Sunday. C Alford...My horse Archipenko is in good shape. He is looking and working well. I will be happy if he runs well. Suraj Narredu... Set Alight is obviously the filly to watch out for. Everybody has to beat her. All roads will lead to the Bangalore Turf Club on Sunday. The Derby Week has been declared open and the festivities are in full swing. The superb looking Derby Trophy was officially handed over to the Chairman, BTC by the UB Group. The racing public now awaits the winner. May the best horse win!