Dr MAM Ramaswamy could not have asked for a more auspicious lead-up to the Derby day, as his horses won four of the ten races, a day before the McDowell Signature Indian Derby (Gr1). Among these four, Be Safe (Holy Roman Emperor – Oriental Lady) showed top class potential while winning the Kunigal Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Gr3) in an emphatic manner. This sure is an ideal start for the grandest weekend of Indian racing. 

Be Safe, saddled by Malesh Narredu who was once Dr MAM Ramaswamy’s favourite rider, was ably ridden by jockey B Sreekanth over the seven-furlong race to romp home in style. Don Corleone darted into the lead with a bunch of horses huddled close behind, with Be Safe racing closer to the rear end of the ten-horse field.

As they turned for home, Don Corleone was under pressure soon when Majestic Opinion started to challenge him along with Koalaa on the inside. Be Safe was stuck for passage and Sreekanth waited for the gap between horses. With 300 to go and the horses in front still blocking the path for Be Safe, Sreekanth decided to slice through Koalaa and Majestic Opinion. This was just when Vision of Romance had started to quicken. Sreekanth’s move was timely and bold. Once Be Safe saw daylight, he lunged forward to take charge. Sreekanth only had to raise his whip and not use it. Be Safe took the cue and bounded forward, free-wheeling away from Vision of Romance in full flight. He literally tore away from the pack with blistering speed and earned instant appreciation of all. He won easing up piling up a wide margin of victory.

Vision of Romance was clerly beaten by a better horse. However, he did well to beat the rest and will improve. Don Corleone ran a good race too warding off the late finishers with a gritty performance. However, Be Safe was a cut above and is one with a bright future.

“I am extremely delighted by his manner of victory. He is pretty mature for his age and has shown marked improvement with each run. He was carrying the top weight and was giving weight to some good juveniles. So the suspense did exist. I was tense when he was in the mid-pack; however, once Sreekanth took the gap, I relaxed. I know how good he is at the finish,” Malesh Narredu told indiarace. When asked what lies ahead for Be Safe, Narredu said, “The next target would obviously be the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million. He will have good rest and will be fresh for the Juvenile Derby.”

Jockey B Sreekanth was jubilant. “I had little to do. Be Safe does have a mind of his own. He settled beautifully and though he was tightly sandwiched between horses, he galloped on. Once I gave him the go he moved through the gap fluently. He surely is talented and he is bound to improve further. It was a delightful victory,” said Sreekanth.

“I had always felt he had a lot of ability and attitude to match in his early days at the farm,” said breeder Nirmal Singh. I am glad Dr MAM Ramaswamy trusted my recommendation and bought this horse. As a breeder it gives one greater pleasure when your reading comes true. I think Malesh has done a wonderful job and so has Sreekanth. I am sure he is one of the top contenders for the Poonawalla Million”.

Be Safe certainly shapes as the favourite for the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million later this month. With the kind of form and turn of foot he has shown, Be Safe appears to be one the best in the business and I would be surprised if he does not give a good account of himself in the Juvenile Derby!