It was in 1994 that R.C.T.C. inaugurated the Calcutta Monsoon Derby and since then we have had a full hand of five 2000 m. Derbies for 3YOs run in the summer/monsoon. There has been only one year -- 2008 -- previously when all the five Derbies had fields in single digits. This year, too, we have experienced small fields. One reason could be that for the first time in fourteen years, the annual foal crop has dipped below the 1400-mark. That, though, cannot be the sole reason because previously, even when the foal crops were on the smaller size, at least one centre managed to get a field in double figures.

There are just seven runners for Sunday's showpiece at Mysore and the average field rating of 53.7 is the lowest in last ten years. Sir Cecil (Win Legend - Elusive Trust), the unbeaten grey, may have scared off a few rivals. There is nothing much else to say about Sir Cecil that hasn't already been uttered. It should be a romp for him as he extends his winning streak to seven. There have been two previous unbeaten winners of this race. Elusive Pimpernel in 1994 and Continual four years later. There may be others but off hand one can recollect only Southern Emperor and Set Alight as two horses other horses to have ended their first year's racing with an unbeaten record of seven scintillating wins. The Brars of Sarai Nanga would be looking forward to the race with much anticipation. The last winner of this race that they bred was Elusive Pimpernel -- the damsire of Sir Cecil -- and no horse has previously carried their silks to a victory in the Mysore Derby.

Rated 21 points below Sir Cecil is the course and distance winner Mr. Handsome (Tazahum - Youre So Beautiful). That was when he won the Justice P. Medapa Memorial Trophy by a short-neck from Velocidad (Excellent Art - Lombardia) with Knotty Ash three lengths away in third. Mr. Handsome was giving 5.5 kgs. to Velocidad and receiving three from Knotty Ash. The subsequent eye catching run of Knotty Ash in the Pune Derby has seen his rating being revised to 76. As a course and distance winner there is no necessity to dwell on whether Mr Handsome is suited for the distance. His first season sire Tazahum has shown some promise while his dam won the Fernhill's Palace Bangalore 1000 Guineas, Gr.2 and was narrowly beaten by Systematic in the Bangalore Oaks, Gr.2 and more comfortably by Becket in the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby, Gr.1. In those three races, she was ridden by Suraj Narredu. Mr Handsome is trained by Satish Narredu who will get a valuable yardstick to measure where Star Superior presently is. Mr Handsome is from the same family as Desperado. 

By paying the final entry fee, traveling to Pune and almost winning the Pune Derby with Knotty Ash, trainer Prasanna Kumar almost pulled a rabbit out of the hat. That was a noteworthy effort. Prasanna Kumar will saddle Areca Lengend (Air Support - Senora Bella), the only other horse in the field whose rating is higher than the average field rating. After winning his maiden race -- Peluche was third --  on debut in mid-January, Areca Legend was taken to Hyderabad where he lost to two talented fillies -- Catalonia and Punjabi Belle -- as a favourite. Prasanna Kumar then produced the ace from his sleeve as Areca Legend won at Mysore after a lay-off of over seven months. He hasn't raced beyond 1400 m. He is the first foal of his dam who won her three races short of a mile. This is an excellent family -- that of Divine Light, Mystical, etc -- that seems to have become a bit speedier in the last two generations. 

What are the intentions of the six runners opposing Sir Cecil ? Surely, none of them would dream of upsetting trainer Padmanabhan's ward. The race, however, gives them a splendid opportunity  of a serious mock race to see how fit and ready their horses are for the winter Classics which will come thick and fast from November onwards. Velocidad will find it difficult to reverse the placings with Mr Handsome at level weights. Secretive Force (Multidimensional - Secret Garden) was so far behind Sir Cecil last time out that Srinath would have been better served by binoculars than goggles. Sir Cecil has shown that he does not need a pace maker. Indian Pharaoh (Excellent Art - Running Flame) may go to the front but his trainer will be gauging his potential and stamina. Running Flame's produce stays well but as Indian Pharaoh is by Excellent Art, the question will be how far the colt can go.

The most interesting runner is Mea Culpa (Multidimensional - Yana), a full-sister to Mathaiyus and Sana. She the lowest rated runner in the field but it would be no surprise if she has more higher rated horses finishing behind her than ahead. She has raced just thrice and on her last start in K.R.O.A. Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3, she was last till the bend. She was moving well when Sakura, running  erratically, cut across her. Still, she finished fourth. Her run needs to be watched with interest keeping in mind her future campaign.

PAST THE POST

Captain Oswald Marmaduke Dalby Bell was an Australian who came to Calcutta at the beginning of 19th century. He quickly established himself as a smart trainer of ponies. Later, he went to England where he set up his training establishment at Epsom. He was a successful trainer who saddled Felstead to win the Epsom Derby. Felstead's daughter Rockfel won the One Thousand Guineas and the Oaks for him. He once said, "The races I like best are those that have a super horse running. You and your jockey have no tension. And, sometimes, you get lucky."

The most bizarre of circumstances sometimes result in horses being beaten. Perhaps, the most galling of all defeats on a race course was Devon Loch losing the 1956 Grand National at Aintree. The horse was owned by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and ridden by Dick Francis who later became more famous as a writer to racing mysteries. Many readers would know of it but those who don't -- but whose curiosity is aroused -- can just Google 'Devon Loch' ! All the best to Sir Cecil for a safe journey round the course on Sunday.