Nostalgia gripped the Mahalaxmi Race Course as a strong crowd of around 25,000 screamed their lungs out as the starter flagged off the 19 contenders for the McDowell Indian Derby (Grade -1). Peninsula missed the jump as the others bolted out scurrying for position amidst the thunderous cheers of the crowd renting the air. Nitrous led the brigade early on with Sweeping Success in close attendance; Hotstepper ran well up with the front bunch along with Regal Connection, Retribution and Mountain Bear. Bourbon King, the hot favourite found himself in the rear bunch in the company of Ruby Queen and Vanquish and Czar Alexander with Nobel Prince in the rear. It was a closely huddled bunch that headed homeward and a vigorously active Prakash moved forward to charge for home. Hotstepper improved steadily and was in striking position. Bourbon King was hopelessly caught in a traffic jam and raised no hope. Hotstepper, meanwhile, caught up with Sweeping Success around 300 metres from home, and a duel was on. Prakash and Kinane went all out, stride for stride, and the Irishman got that little extra from Hotstepper who fought gallantly from an equally-up-to-the-task Sweeping Success to clinch the McDowell Indian Derby (Gr-1), the richest and most prestigious race in the country in a photo-finish. While Kinane hogged all the glory, it must be mentioned that jockey B. Prakash too rode a great race. It was a battle royal and only one of the two could win. Nobel Prince (Hayes) came with a late brilliance to end an eye-catching third and Bourbon King finished on to figure in the frame. The last named certainly did not have the luck of the race and should not be written off. Bourbon King was finishing on towards the end. He will look to turn the tables in the Invitation Cup at Hyderabad in early March. It was a commendable performance from Noble Prince considering the fact that he had no preparatory run, save the mock races in Bangalore. Retribution also needs a mention and did well to be one off the final frame alongside Regal Connection. “I had connected directly with the Almighty and requested him for such an outcome,” joked Mr. Rattonsey the owner and breeder of Hotstepper, “and He had given me His assurance. Saeed (trainer) was also very confident. Flying in Kinane turned out to be fruitful. He was brilliant.” Trainer SS Shah was overwhelmed with emotion and tears of joy rolled freely form his eyes as he received the Trophy. “This is indeed a great moment and full marks to Kinane. He rode a superbly judged race and nursed the colt along saving enough to last out the trip. I was always optimistic about Hotstepper and I am overjoyed that he proved me right.” Mick Kinane the man on the hot seat did everything right. He settled the colt well with the pace, improved gradually and was in box seat when the final surge was due. “When the final battle began, I was travelling well and Hotstepper was keen and responding well. I was confident he would stretch himself and he did just that in the last few strides. Hotstepper is a brave horse and Mr. Shah has looked after him well. He was fighting fit and perfectly tuned,” quipped the champion Jockey who has won more than a 150 group races across the globe. This was Kinane’s third Indian Derby triumph after Sir Bruce (1986) and Cordon Bleu (1988). The RWITC once again rose to the grand occasion and the success of the great event was obvious. The McDowell Indian Derby (Gr-1) is one of the premier events and rates among the top lifestyle spectacles in Mumbai. Dr. Vijay Mallya, chief of the UB Group, gave away the trophies to the winning camp. “The McDowell Indian Derby is the plum event in the Indian racing calendar and I am happy to be associated with the race. I thank the racing patrons for their participation and I hope you all enjoyed the Indian Derby carnival,” Mallya said. As he handed the trophy to jockey Mick Kinane, Dr. Mallya recounted, “I am especially thrilled as it was Kinane who won me my first Indian Derby way back in 1988 with Cordon Bleu. My special thanks to Mr. Vivek Jain and his team for their great support and making the event such a huge success,” concluded the flamboyant liquor Baron. Mr. Vivek Jain, Chairman – Marketing Committee, RWITC, deserves special kudos for the professional manner in which the weekend was handled. The crowd was conspicuous in their numbers and the coffers of the Club swelled much over the last year’s collections on the tote, pushing close to the Rs 3 crore mark. The gaps between races ensured good entertainment by a group of nimble-footed belles and an Elvis look-alike crooner who had the crowd enthralled. It was definitely a Sunday well spent and a memorable one for one Kachwalla family - the lone successful entry who claimed the bumper prize of the C-class Mercedes Benz car by correctly nominating the first three placings in the Derby. This, incidentally, would be the first car owned by the Kachwallas! The McDowell Indian Derby is an eagerly awaited destination and a universal mega-hit. It has caught on with the masses and the thirst to ‘be there’ is gaining with every year. The next year happens to be the landmark Silver jubilee Year. Dr. Vijay Mallya is well known for his flamboyance and innovations. During one of his earlier ‘Derby Eve’ bashes, he had made a dynamic appearance in a vintage sports car on stage. The fashion shows are the talk-of-the town and the scramble for passes and vantage seats is common. With this most sought after extravaganza coming up for its Silver Jubilee, one waits with bated breath as to what will the high-profile tycoon come up with in 2009. Better be warned, Dr. Mallya, the expectations are soaring.