If the Calcutta Monsoon Derby is the youngest of Monsoon Derbies, the Deccan Derby is the oldest even if the word 'Monsoon' is missing from its nomenclature. It was first run in 1971, shortly after the Hydreabad Race Club abandoned the old Secunderabad race course and moved into its own premises at Malakpet. Red Surprise (B. Foy) won the inaugural event. She was a filly owned by Mr. & Mrs. F.S. Reporter, Mrs. Dina Meherjee and Miss D.B. Desai and was saddled by Mackie Meherjee. The sire of Red Surprise was the Indian Triple Crown and Invitation Cup winner Red Rufus, the only Classic winner to the credit of Meherjee, the father of Mackie Meherjee. Red Surprise was also to be the sole Classic winner trained by the son.

It was only in 1979-80 that Hyderabad conducted its first winter meeting. Till then, it raced only in the monsoons. So technically, the earlier winners of the Deccan Derby were all 'outstation' horses. It is only in the last 38 years that the concept of 'outstation' horse and 'local' horse becomes tenable. Only seven 'local' horses have won this race in that period making it a favourite target for horses in Bangalore and Pune.

There were 85 horses still left-in for this race at the handicap stage. Acceptances have separated a whole lot of chaff from the grain and we are left with just four runners for Tuesday. Three of those runners -- Star Superior, Corfe Castle and My Opinion -- participated in the Deccan Colts' Championship Stakes, Gr.3 early in September and finished in that order. On Tuesday, they will be renewing their rivalry on the same track and carrying the same weights and that is what gives the race a 'deja vu' feel. The only difference is the additional 400 m. to travel. Those extra two furlongs are not in favour of any one the three who, on pedigree, are likely to at their best around a mile rather than longer. Star Superior at least has the advantage of having essayed the trip earlier and it would be no surprise if they pass the post in the same order.

The unbeaten Sir Cecil's runaway victory at Mysore yesterday pays another compliment to Star Superior (Excellent Art - Ramjet). Rajesh Narredu's ward is the only horse to have finished upsides of Sir Cecil -- he was a head shy in the Bangalore Colts' Championship Stakes, Gr.1 -- and is clearly the best of the rest of the 2015 crop at this stage. Sir Cecil beat Star Superior more comfortably in the Kingfisher Derby Bangalore, Gr.1 over 2000 m. but the margin of three lengths is still the closest anyone has finished to the Sarainanga Champion. Star Superior's pedigree has been discussed earlier. Clearly, he is not as comfortable over 2000 m. as a mile but the same can be said of his two main rivals. His class, rather than his stamina, should carry him home. His DI is 3.00 .He is also the only outstation runner and despite being outnumbered, should hold the local contingent. At 80, he is the highest rated runner in the field. That is a bit of a dampener because the highest rated horse has not won the race in last ten runnings. He should, though, start as the favourite and that is more encouraging with six public fancies having obliged over the same period.

Corfe Castle (Excellent Art - Miss Danehill) -- DI 2.60 -- had finished ahead of Star Superior in the Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million, Gr.1 over 1400 m. Despite a higher DI, Star Superior should get his measure. After all, Corfe Castle is a full-brother to Ruffina who has not won beyond 1400 m. and he is yet to go beyond a mile.

Like Corfe Castle, My Opinion (Dialed In - Love Me Good) is a Gr.1 winner having won the Nilgiris Derby, Gr.1. He is the only 'got-abroad' in the field. Four 'got-abroads' -- Starsky, Star Presentation, Borsalino and Jeremiah -- have won this race previously. He was well beaten by Star Superior and Corfe Castle in his last race over a mile and a DI of 3.60 does not suggest that he will appreciate the step up in distance. His sire Dialed In stands at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $ 25,000. A winner of the Florida Derby,  Gr.1 and a Champion Freshman Sire, he is a popular stallion. Sans Craintes Stud paid $16,000 for Love Me Good at Keeneland's November Sale in 2014. Love Me Good won two races in U.S.A. and was third in Our Mims Stakes. She belongs to an obscure branch of the excellent Black Ray family. It is a good but not an especially mouth watering pedigree.

Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla owns a share in Star Superior. His younger brother, Zavaray, has an interest Corfe Castle. The two colts are both sons of Excellent Art born at Poonawalla Farms. Very much a family affair. It is difficult to imagine how the race will be run. In the Kingfisher Derby Bangalore, Gr.1, Star Superior made the early running till Sir Cecil reined him in. On his last start, Psychic Force provided him the lead and he could make his run early in the straight. Corfe Castle, it would appear, prefers to come from behind. Who will go to the front  and how will the race unfold ? That tactical aspect could have a crucial bearing on the outcome.

PAST THE POST

In 1986, Chaitanya Chakram scared all but two of his rivals and then slaughtered them to win by a distance. That field of three remains the smallest to have contested this race. There have been five other previous occasions when there were just four runners -- Fire Haven (1972), Kitty Bank (1976), Aristocrat (1979), Fond Hope (1984) and Forest King (1995).

One thing is certain. At least one trainer will win his first Deccan Derby since none of the four have done so till now.