The very first Mysore Derby was won by Maharani Gina Narayan of Cooch-Behar's Midnight Cowboy who went on to win the Calcutta Derby and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup later.  Since then, Chaitanya Chakram, Delage and Elusive Pimpernel have emulated him by winning the Invitation Cup. Several others -- Beloved Prince, Red Chieftan, Aristocrat, Carnival, Abide, Birthday Girl, Queen of the Hills, Renowned, Brave Dancer, Armagnac,  Octagonal, Continual, Abs Fabs and Bold Majesty -- have won a Gr.1 race during the subsequent winter season.

For this year's race, there are six runners but only three genuine contenders. Heading that trio is Castlebridge (Burden of Proof - Castle Queen) who has had a near perfect run to this race. He has been beaten just once in his last six starts and that was when Manifold downed him the Kingfisher Utltra Derby Bangalore, Gr.1. A front runner -- but not a puller -- he is happiest when allowed to run freely. Castlebridge comes from the all-conquering Schiaparelli family and his grandam Castle Park is a Diffident half-sister to Mystical. The influence of the speedy Diffident has meant that neither Castle Park nor any of her descendants have won beyond a mile. To do so, Castlebridge has to find a tactical ploy that is successful. He has simply slaughtered his opponents in his two races at Mysore, winning by an average margin of eight lengths, but here faces tougher competition over a longer distance. Castlebridge is a final entry. Lady In Lace has recently recouped her late entry fees at Hyderabad and Pune and Castlebridge should do likewise.

Apache Sunrise (Excellent Art - Guest Connections) is very closely related to Castlebridge on his dam side, both descending from Charenzaccio's daughter Divine Light. However, there is no Diffident (by Nureyev) in Apache Sunrise's distaff line. On the other hand, his sire Excellent Art has Nureyev as his great grandsire. Apache Sunrise is also inbred to Mr. Prospector, a renowned speed influence. Neil Darashah's ward just about lasted to win his last start over 1800 m. from Michaela whose subsequent run at Pune was not very encouraging. Apache Sunrise has also been denied a lead-up race by the inclement weather, racing being cancelled at Mysore on the two days when he was scheduled to have one. So he is going into this race with a longish gap from his last start. What is in his favour is his beating of Romantic Star by two lengths in the Bangalore Summer Million, Gr.3 over a mile while giving the filly 6.5 kgs. That verdict, though, has to be tempered by the fact that Romantic Star  broke a blood vessel during the race. A winner of five of his six starts, his only poor effort came in the Bangalore Colts' Championship Stakes, Gr.1 when he finished off the board.

Romantic Star (Multidimensional - Moonlight Romance) is impeccably bred being by the most successful living stallion in India out of one of the only two fillies who have bagged the Indian Derby-Invitation Cup double. The filly is certain to stay but has had an unorthodox run-up to this race. She scored on her debut as a three year-old in June and eight days later found herself in the Bangalore Fillies' Championship Stakes, Gr.1. She acquitted herself well and was only half a length shy of the winner Manifold. Manifold went on to win the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore, Gr.1 beating Castlebridge by half a length and that means that there is nothing to choose between Romantic Star and Castlebridge on pure form. She was then well beaten by Apache Sunrise in the Bangalore Summer Million, Gr.3 but had the excuse of a broken blood vessel. Last week, she won her come-back race over a mile quite easily. Now, after just 10 days, she finds herself in a Derby. Had Romantic Star had a more 'regular' lead-up, she would have been an obvious choice to put it across the colts. One has to accept that S. Padmanabhan, a leading Classic trainer in the country, obviously knows the best of her present condition and readiness for the race. Though, considering her somewhat less than ideal preparation, the connections of the colts' are entitled to be optimistic.

On a line through Manifold, Castlebridge and Romantic Star come about equal. Apache Sunrise has beaten Romantic Star easily giving more weight than she will receive on Sunday but we can never be certain as to how much the rupturing of the blood vessel affected the filly. Assuming that the three main contenders are about par, tactics will play an important part in the outcome of the race. Castlebridge has lost the only time he has ventured beyond a mile. Still, it is unlikely that his front running style will be curbed. What he will hence need is a good break over the field coming into the straight. That may not be forthcoming because Apache Sunrise, too, has plenty of toe and while he doesn't go right to the front, he is happy to stalk the pace and make his move early in the straight. If he does that, he will deny Castlebridge the leeway he needs and engage him in a contest earlier than he would prefer. That might just play into the hands of Romantic Star.

Trainer S. Padmanabhan has won several good races by getting his wards to set the pace and winning end to end. It is a good ploy, especially when the main challengers are doubtful of getting the trip. However, it demands that his horse is absolutely spot on physically. Romantic Star has had a chequered preparation and that may dictate her adopting the more conventional tactics. It is only when the race gets underway that we will know what her plans are. 

One thing we can be absolutely certain of is that Apache Sunrise, who now runs in the Poonawalla colours, will be absolutely on his mettle. Sunday's race is the last three year-old Classic and an Excellent Art is yet to win one. The Freshman stallion had started off most pleasingly and had a cracking first half of the year. He has tapered off since and a Classic against his name will shore up his credentials. His predecessors -- Ace and Arazan -- have not come up to the expectations but both of them had a Classic winner in their first years. Whether Apache Sunrise can deliver or not is another matter but his assault will be thoroughly genuine. Bred by Cheveley Park Stud, Excellent Art was a very good sprinter-miler. He never raced beyond a mile and the average winning distance of his progeny abroad is 8.4 fur.

From the 59 horses still left-in at the handicap stage, only six -- all outstation horses -- have accepted to run. The average field rating of 72 is a shade higher than the average of recent years.

PAST THE POST

Early in September, Nanoli Stud enjoyed a lead of almost 200 points over Usha Stud and seemed to have the annual Championship in the bag. A stunning run of consistent results by Usha Stud has seen that lead being whittled down to about 50 plus points and given that nursery at least a mathematical chance of winning the title. Including the Mysore Derby, there are four black-type races still left in the current racing year. In cricket, they say that the runs on the board are better than the runs which may be scored so Nanoli Stud should be able to cling on. However, we may have a situation where the Championship gets decided by the running of the R.W.I.T.C., Ltd. Gold Cup, Gr.2 at Pune on 29 October.