In the field of seventeen contenders for the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby (Gr1) 2013, few rooted for Super Storm, the challenger from Bangalore. The richest race of the land wore an open look right from the outset. The bookmakers were enticing the punters, offering lucrative odds and there was no clear favourite on the listing. The Crowd had kept pouring in right through the forenoon and the queue at all entrances of the Mahalaxmi racecourse was colourful and chirpy. The long line of cars added to the traffic snarls all around the racecourse. It was a typical Mc Dowell Signature Premier Indian Derby atmosphere and the RWITC had geared up extremely well to host the mammoth crowd which was around the expected lines of 30,000 new and familiar faces.

Jim McGrath was the race caller especially flown in from the UK to call the race. “The atmosphere was as electric as I have seen anywhere in the world. The roar of the crowd got me going and I admit I was excited right from the time I set my foot at the racecourse. This was my first visit to India and I am here with my wife. We loved it here and would be keen to return,” said the popular commentator.

As they shot out of the gates, the jostle for the vantage position was obvious, as Montezuma flew out of the gates and Angel Crown working to carry out his role as the pace maker. 

Both were way off the inner rails giving Super Storm more than enough room to ease into the lead. Super Storm led them into the backstretch and then settled down nicely to let Montezuma and Angel Crown play their role. Machiavellianism was right up with the pace, An Acquired Taste was prominently poised too. The rest followed in a cluster. Hemisphere and Wind Stream were in the rear. Shivalik Hero was not too prominent and raced well off the fence all through the journey. Colm O’Donoghue believed that the outer side of the track was a better option. He had mentioned that during an objection a day earlier. He was so convinced and rode out to his belief.

As they neared the turn, Song Dynasty had improved to lead briefly; Montezuma and Angel Crown had done their bit and Machiavellianism started to accelerate and spurted ahead. Jimmy Fortune then set Super Storm alight under some strong handling Fortune drew menacingly close to Machiavellianism.

At a crucial juncture, An Acquired Taste was struggle to find a clear passage. As Song Dynasty weakend, John was desperately looking for room. He found none and had to check his mount on more than one occasion. That was fatal and An Acquired Taste could never make it.

Machiavellianism and Super Storm sparred for a few strides before Super Storm surged ahead. Wind Stream began to cover ground and Hemisphere too showed a good forward surge. With less than 100 to go, both had some ground to cover.  Jimmy Fortune was taking no chances. He rode out persistently and kept Super Storm going to ward off the late threats and win amidst deafening cheers from the Grand Stands.  

This was an incredible victory! Super Storm did not have the luxury of the required rest and relaxation before an event of this magnitude. He had, after all, run a hard race just days before the Indian Derby. He had battled hard in the Bangalore Derby unable to topple the lead of Red Baron to end runner-up. Satish Narredu’s immense faith in Super Storm’s staying abilities is what made him pack Super Storm off to Mumbai.

“I was not too disappointed with Super Storm’s effort in the Bangalore Derby,” said Satish Narredu who had tasted the Indian Derby success years back as a jockey partnering Amazing Bay to victory. That was a landmark win, as Amazing Bay was the first Indian Derby winner for Dr MAM Ramaswamy, the Multi- Classic winner (563 Classics to date), in his own silks!

“I was confident soon after the Bangalore Derby that Super Storm had it in him to stay the longer trips and I had to give him a chance to prove my gut feeling right. It wasn’t an impulsive decision. The only concern was how he would take the rigors of travel that too so soon after the grueling trip he had just raced over. The moment he arrived here, I was pleasantly surprised to see him absolutely comfortable and more importantly, happy. He was eating well and was relaxed at the stables. I sent him on a canter a couple of times and he seemed in perfect harmony. He didn’t show a single sign of discomfort and that gave me a lot of confidence. I requested Mr Shapoor Mistry to release Jimmy Fortune to ride Super Storm and I am grateful to both Sarosh Mody and Mr Mistry to have readily acceded to my request. The pace suited him and he even got a clear run all through. When Fortune emerged to the front to challenge Machiavellianism, I was excited as knew he would not give up from here. I saw Wind Stream making up ground, but switching my glance back to Fortune, he seemed to well in control. Also, Super Storm had the momentum going. He was not going to slow down a bit! I knew he had clinched it even as the others were closing in,” concluded Satish on a jubilant note.

Jimmy Fortune played down his role and was modest about his contribution. “I had the luck of the race and I have ridden here before, that helped. Super Storm was right up on cue all the way. At the start, he was alert and when the others took over, he settled well. There was a slight tussle nearing the 800 meter marker, but that did not trouble us too much. I had a smooth run into the straight and he quickened well to stretch out all the way. Even towards the end, he was not giving up, I knew I was safe and home approaching the wining post,” said Jimmy Fortune who had partnered Dr MAM Ramaswamy’s Star Supreme to success in the Indian Derby more than a decade back in the late 90s. Incidentally, Fortune is back riding in Mumbai after 11 years.

Young Rajesh Narredu, the co-owner of Super Storm, whose colours Fortune had dawned, was ecstatic. “This is a dream come true. Super Storm has given us a great high and I thank Jimmy Fortune for the manner in which he delivered us our most cherished moments in racing. I would like to dedicate this wonderful success to my elder brother Suraj Narredu, who has been a source of inspiration to me right from our younger days. Super Storm will always remain a special horse to me” he said.

The presentation ceremony was pompous as it has always been. Dr Vijay Mallya along with Mr KN Dhunjibhoy, Chairman of the RWITC and Mr Vivek Jain Chairman of the Marketing Sub Committee arrived in a vintage 1942 Bentley to the presentation podium placed right across the Grand Stands on the main track. The appreciative and sporting Mumbai crowd welcomed the connections of Super Storm – owners M/s Rajesh Narredu, R Anantha Cham Dev Raju, R Chamdev Raju & Mrs R Rajamma with a thunderous applause as they came to receive the traditional ‘Man & Horse’ trophy from Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the UB Group.

Dr Mallya was flanked by Mr KN Dhunjibhoy and Mr Vivek Jain. Mr Dhunjibhoy was the first to address the patrons. “It was a great success and I appreciate the efforts that Dr Mallya and his team put in each year to make the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby a grand success. This is an event that reaches out to the masses and I am pleased to see this large attendance at our racecourse. I have seen the way Mr Sanjeev Khanna, (Senior General Manger, USL) and his team methodically plan, manage and execute the entire flow of events during the weekend. I thank the crowd as well for their lively participation and this weekend, as always, has been memorable and a grand success.

Mr Vivek Jain said, “This is the renewal of the new contract between the RWITC and the United Spirits Ltd which we signed last year extending the long association for another five years for a path-breaking deal valued at Rs 28 crores, which is not only the highest racing sponsorship in the country but one of the highest for any single sporting event. Also the attendance at 27,000 was up by 15%, and the highest in a long time- a tribute to the excellent promotion by both USL and the RWITC.

Dr Vijay Mallya attired in a light coloured designer wear added to the Derby ambience in the manner he always does. The flash bulbs were striking continuously as he took the microphone. “The McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby is a Signature of Success. This event is special and close to my heart. It holds the same esteem and affection to me whether I have a runner in the race or not,” he added with a touch of jest. I am very happy that Satish Narredu has won it. I have known him over 30 years now and in his course of riding he has donned my silks too. It is a pleasure to present this trophy to him.”

Appreciating the mammoth attendance, Dr Mallya said, “It’s you who make it so enthralling,” he said, gesturing towards the crowded stands “and I hope you all enjoyed this special weekend. I would like to make a date with you for the next year, on the first Sunday of February 2014 and invite you all once again to this racing spectacle.”   

Super Storm lived up to his name by ravaging the opposition. Wind Stream blew away the local aspirants. It was an enviable ‘first-second’ result for the outstation horses as both came in from Bangalore. Hemisphere dug in deep and was one of the fastest among the beaten lot. Machiavellianism completed the frame, this despite a broken blood vessel. An Acquired Taste will rue the luck of the race as he seemed to be picking up just before the check he received.

One gentleman – Mr Tinu Abraham from the suburbs of Mumbai, was the only one among thousands of entries for the contest, nominating the first four places of the Derby in the right order. Mr Abraham drove off in the luxurious Audi A4 car as the grand prize.

The McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby (Gr1) is always understood as a race for the toughest. The battle scars that are leaves behind are inevitable, but then, the sweetest taste of success and joy is something to cherish a lifetime! Ask the connections… ask the crowd, the answers will be synonymous!