Will it be a new alliance at the Derby podium or will it be the individual brilliance which will decide who is cut above the rest is the hot debate in all the racing circles and the many pubs and coffee shops on the eve of the Garuda Bangalore Derby.

The fact that one of the leading contender Desert God, winner of the Kolkata Derby has chosen to skip the mega event, preparing himself for the Mumbai Indian Derby scheduled to be held on the first Sunday of February at Mahalaxmi, the winter Derby has attracted eight best colts and two classy fillies at the campus and the showdown at sundown at the Bangalore Turf Club is certain to delight the  railbirds who are working out the many permutations and combinations to gain the winning ticket before the song and dance all night long.

The smashing 2000 Guineas winner Brilliant Cut from trainer Irfan Ghatala’s yard  is set to start the firm favourite in the mega event.

The ladies cheer brigade has made it clear that the ‘Ladies Derby’ winner New Alliance is the one which will receive their support and the double classic winner from trainer Prasanna Kumar’s yard, it must be mentioned is judiciously prepared with the event in view.

The main threat to Brilliant Cut and New Alliance will emanate from the Mumbai challenger Mogadishu who shocked all in the Mysore Derby and Auriga from trainer Sriram’s yard who looks fit and well and ready to add pep to the finish.

Irfan Ghatala satisfied with the preparations of Brilliant Cut disclosed that the classy son of Burden Of Proof from the Kunigal Stud Farm is in great heart and is confident that his ward will stay the mile-and-half classic journey.

“He is looking good and is raring to go. He is the one they all have to beat,” said Irfan.

Chandrashekar Rai from the M R Stud Farms, owners of New Alliance while acknowledging the fact that New Alliance, another progeny of Burden Of Proof,  has to beat Brilliant Cut revealed that  the distance suits his filly most and  that she is spot on for the big race.

“Well with a little bit of luck in the race, we may lead in our first Derby winner,” said Chandrashekar Rai, a trifle nervous but very positive going into the mega event.

The bookmakers have rightly opened Brilliant Cut, the favourite for the event followed by New Alliance while Mogadishu and Auriga are offered at fancy odds.

“No big betting so far. But we are certain that big money will change hands in the mega event. Brilliant Cut is the top fancy and all the big bettors are waiting to go big on the morrow on Brilliant Cut,” said a leading bookmaker adding that the betting volumes will be big on Saturday.

So all said and done that stage is set and the thunder of the hooves will provide many a pulse-pounding finish on the Derby day.