With a fairly long line-up of Seventeen contenders in the fray for the McDowell Signature Indian Derby (Gr 1) the 2013 edition looks wide open. The racing fraternity is buzzing with speculation and opinions from those in the know always makes for interesting reading. The stage is set for a new champion to be crowned. The connections are excited and indiarace picked up some pre-race feelers of the real players.

KN Dhunjibhoy: I have some wonderful memories of the Indian Derby and it’s a different high. This year’s field looks closely matched and it’s hard to foresee the result. An Acquired Taste has done well in the Ruia and looks the horse to beat. I have Montezuma in the race, but looking at it realistically, he would be an outsider. I am hoping for the best and will certainly enjoy the suspense.  

Vivek Jain: It’s the most open Derby in a long while. Fillies have had a strong run in recent years and this augurs well for my filly Song Dynasty who has improved after her unexpected good show in the Oaks.

Vijay Shirke: Not much to say with conviction. Your guess is as good as mine. It is difficult, going by the standard of performances, to even narrow the field down to a couple of horses. I hope Montezuma does well and leave the rest to the trainer and jockey.

Dr MAM Ramaswamy: It is a big field and makes it more interesting. I am hoping Shivalik Hero’s consistency will pay off. All he needs to do is raise his level another run on the day.

Berjis Desai: Both Montezuma and Hemisphere are coming on and I feel they are shaping up well at the right time. Hemisphere has the services of the top jockey in Richard Hughes and that is a big plus. Montezuma has been entrusted to Zervan who is also in top form. I feel Montezuma is bred to stay and the distance will go well for him although he has not fired of late. I am hoping for the best.

AS Nareilwalla: An Acquired Taste has done everything right coming into this race. His last victory was a good effort. I am also of the opinion that if Shivalik Hero stays the distance that he could also pull it off.

Ashwin Mehta: It’s a wide open Derby this year. If all is well with An Acquired Taste, he surely is the horse in the reckoning. Wind Stream from Bangalore too comes in with good credentials. No particular horse is outstanding, that makes the final choice very tough to zero-in upon.

LVR Deshmukh: I am satisfied with the preparation that Machiavellianism has had. I have no doubt he will go the distance and in his present condition he should run well. Among the adversaries, I think Wind Stream is the one to watch out for.

Vijay Singh: Snowscape won the Eveready Calcutta Derby impressively, prompting us to dispatch him to Mumbai. He is at his best. The fact that Tintinabulation won so well at Hyderabad is another factor that has excited us. I am confident Snowscape will run a good race.

Dallas Todywalla: I feel that Wind Stream is well equipped to give a good account of himself. An Acquired Taste would be the game challenger and the Dark ‘Un would be Snowscape.

Imtiaz Sait: The Indian Derby is always conquered by the one who stays best. I feel Wind Stream and Snowscape are the ones to watch out for.  Wind Stream in particular looks a strong contender.

Narendra Lagad: After watching New World run in the frame in the Ruia, I feel he would stay the trip well.  He is bound to improve further and the extended trip will suit his style. 

Satish Narredu: Super Storm will surely stay the trip and is in good nick. His second in the Bangalore Derby was a good effort which is why we rushed him to Mumbai soon after. He has travelled well and is raring to go.

M Narredu: Shivalik Hero has found one better in his last three starts and that’s a bit hard to take. He is in good nick and I am hoping for the best. Maximus too is working well and his Hyderabad Is evidence that he has it in him to win big races. Both Shivalik Hero and Maximus should give good account of themselves.

MP Jodha: This year’s Derby is most open and it is difficult to foresee the result. I hope Caesars Star does well. I have no doubt that he will stay the distance. He has the form too and I am hoping all goes well in the race for him. 

Altamaash Ahmed: I am keeping my finger crossed. An Acquired Taste won his lead up well. He has overcome his share of problems and I am satisfied with his workouts post the Ruia Cup. I am convinced that he will stay the trip well. He should run a good race.  

Faisal Abbas: Wind Stream looks a tough contender. But I still feel it’s an open race. Not fair to pick from a bunch of so many good horses. As far as my horse New World is concerned, he is in good shape and is improving. I have immense faith in his abilities, the rest is destiny.     

Adhiraj Jodha: I will go with the universal opinion that it’s an open race. My horse, Caesar’s Star has a good chance. He stays the distance and is in good nick. With a little luck he could strike in this very open field.

Daniel Grant: Can’t really pick one as much will depend on the pace of the race. Maximus is a good horse and has the potential to stride with the best. I am raring to go and so is Maximus.

S Zervan: I am excited for many reasons, primarily as it is my first Indian Derby. This race has a high of its own and I consider myself blessed to be in the race. It’s an evenly matched race and I am optimistic about Montezuma. He is feeling well and u can count on me to do my best on the track.  

Dashrath Singh: I fancy my chances with Winds Of Fortune. She has performed well this season and is in terrific form. She loves the longer trips and that’s my advantage.

PS Chouhan: It’s an interesting competitive field this year and the onus, I feel, should be on An Acquired Taste who seems to be back in form going by his Ruia Cup triumph. He is the one to watch out for. Machiavellianism is a tough competitor and I am confident he will be right there at the finish.