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DESERT GOD ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AT CALCUTTA

By Epsom Ace | 07 Apr 2016 | KOLKATA


Indian Derby & Indian Turf Invitation Cup 2016 winner Desert God ridden by British jockey David Allan

Currently rated as the best colt in the country, Padmanabhan-trained Desert God has the distinction of pocketing both the Indian Derby (considered to be the annual piece de resistance for four-year-olds) and the glamorous and prestigious Indian Turf Invitation Cup – also run over a mile-and-half but open to older age groups. However, before decorating his CV with such a coveted double, Desert God won his first mile-and-half classic at Calcutta on January 10 when he won the Derby at this centre with a degree of confidence and ease. It was an afternoon of sheer joy for the Padmanabhan family and they must have sensed there and then, that they have a true champion in the making.

Run on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, The Calcutta Derby Stakes was witnessed by a large vociferous crowd of over 18,000. Available at 65/100, piping hot favourite Desert God (Burden Of Proof-Running Flame/ Kunigal Stud) delivered the goods when most needed in the hands of British jockey David Allan.

In his post-race comments, trainer Padmanabhan said that “David has struck up a fine understanding with the colt and their next target is the Indian Derby in February. The colt is improving with each run.”  For his part, Allan stated that “He settled well after some early jostling and accelerated brilliantly when asked for an effort”. He however confirmed without any hesitation that “In The Spotlight (on whom he had won the Calcutta Derby couple of years back) was a far superior animal.” For owner Sharmila Padmanabhan, it was a highly emotional moment as she recalled her mother’s prophecy that ‘one day you will surely win the Calcutta Derby’.

The mile-and-half Grade I affair was run pretty much according to script with Fly With The Wind setting a cracking pace, followed by Multitude, Romantic Magic, Desert God and Setaflame. It was near the 600marker that Multitude took up the running and tried his utmost to give the field the slip. But Allan is no stranger to the local track and was at his tail in a jiffy. Both Romantic Magic (along the rails) and Setaflame (on the outside) were moving well behind the front pair but found the duo out of their reach. There is no denying the fact that Allan had to use the stick on his mount and the colt did hang in under pressure. This suggested that Vijay Singh-trained Multitude (who stayed the Derby trip rather well) will be a force to reckon with in the future. Setaflame moved up under Chouhan’s whip and finished close up with his owner-mate.

Trainer Vijay Singh won the championship at this centre once again with brother Bharath Singh a worthy runner-up. After receiving his award that night, Vijay thanked the powerful red-and-gold stable of the Khaitan family and commented “As long as we are one-two, it’s all right brother!”

Christopher Alford was the runaway winner of the jockeys’ championship and said in his post-award speech that this championship has given him more pleasure than his earlier ones, possibly because he was passing through a relatively lean patch prior to this championship.

The tragic incident which left an indelible mark on the season was the fall in the Oaks on December 19 of young and talented jockey DK Ashish who subsequently succumbed to his injuries 36 hours later at a city nursing home. His death left a pall of gloom over the festive season to follow.

The racing fraternity across the country was left numbed by the shock of his sudden demise which brought back memories of over three decades ago (in the April of 1979) when a brilliant young jockey called Karl Umrigar innocuously fell off his mount Vasudha and his lungs were punctured by the hooves of the animal. He battled for his life for several days before passing away.

Talking to www.indiarace.com , the president of the Jockeys Association of India, PS Chouhan, stated that Ashish’s accident was a freak case but it is a fact that of late there has been a rise in such accidents for several reasons. For one, he felt that the apprentice jockey schools across the country were producing sub-standard rookies who were not only a threat to themselves but to other riders also.

South Indian challenger Dare To Dream won the Grade I race, The Indian Champion Cup, in the hands of Imran Chisty while Multitude, possibly the best local four-year-old from Vijay Singh’s yard, landed the Governor’s Cup.

A special mention has to be made of trainers Javed Khan and Bath. The former’s Xotica proved herself to be the fastest filly at this centre by bagging The Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes and Hongkong Jockey Club Trophy in great style. Bath’s Winning Fortune was voted the horse of the season with five consecutive wins. By shrewd placement of Dixie Diamond, Bath also pocketed the Grand Annual Handicap.

In young Anit Casyab, this centre has found a worthy successor to the veteran of iconic proportions in the commentator’s box – Mr Cyrus Madan. Thus, all in all, it was a satisfying season for most of the professionals and punters alike. They can look forward to a thrilling monsoon meet after the long break of three months. Some of our leading trainers will be summering their wards at Bangalore and it might help local punters during the monsoon season if they keep a close watch on their charges.