It proved to be as easy as sweeping autumn leaves from the garden path for the G Nityanad-trained The Invader who recorded his second straight classic success while winning the blue riband of the winter season, the Catalyst Properties Derby on Republic Day.

Despite the fact that the star performer had won the 2000 Guineas in emphatic fashion and subsequently impressed most in a mock race, the railbirds chose to pin their hopes on the Padmanabhan-trained Isn’t She Lovely who found The Invader too hot to handle on the D-day.

Imran Khan astride the nohoper Play Safe and the Mumbai hopeful Eagleinthesky hit the front and set a decent pace for the mile-and-half classic trip. David Allan guiding the fortunes of Isn’t She Lovely and Trevor Patel partnering The Invader chose to play the waiting game, their mounts enjoying the pace of the race down the backstretch.

After the front runners shot their bolt at the top of the straight, David sent the favourite filly ahead and even before her supporters started to shout and scream, Trevor put The Invader in top gear and the champion produced a stunning gallop to breeze past all and romp home in resplendent fashion. It was a superb effort from the star performer, who made his trainer and his two owners, A Muniraja and Nanda Kumar proud. It was a dream come true for Nityanand and the two small owners who nursed a dream to lead in a Derby winner.

It is no secret that every pro wants to stand tall at the Derby podium and Nityanad realised his dream on Republic Day. The trainer was confident that his horse would stay the mile-and-half trip and that he will be the one all have to beat in the mega event. The Invader proved Niyanand right winning with a measure of comfort despite Trevor choosing to launch his final assault from the wide outside. Isn’t She Lovely held on to gain the runner-up berth ahead of New Moon while Eagleinthesky finished fourth. It was a top class performance from the champion performer and the railbirds provided the winning team a standing ovation.

The fact that two small owners, A Muniraja and Nanda Kumar led in a Derby winner augurs well for the game, more importantly for the small owners who will now start to believe that they too can realise their dreams with small investments.

“Our trainer Nityanand was confident and so too Trevor Patel. He was happy with The Invader’s  final preparatory gallop and very positive on the big day. The horse too produced his best and it all fell in place,” said Nanda Kumar pointing out that it was time for song and dance all night long.

Head honcho of Catalyst Properties, Anjan Rangaraj who sponsored the mega event while lauding the effort of the winners pointed out that the best horse won and it was top class performance. “The Invader provided the silver lining to our event,” said Anjan satisfied with the response and the buzz the mega event generated among the racing buffs.

It took a lot of Courage for the connections and supporters of Courage to go bang bang in the betting ring fancying the Arjun Manglorkar ward to resume his winning ways after a series of disappointing efforts. But fortune favours the brave they say and it did, Courage winning the principal added attraction, the Kempe Gowda Cup in the hands of Downey. Star Cracker finished second ahead of Pinyada.

The Mysore Race Club Trophy, a event for maiden juveniles was claimed by Indian Empress from trainer Prasanna Kumar’s yard who made a winning debut in the hands of the nawab Akshay Kumar, who in a never-say-die bid stretched every sinew to peg back the belated effort of the much more fancied stablemate Invicta. The favourite Speaking Of Stars raced in patches not really liking the sprint trip while Southern Ruler produced an improved effort to gain the third spot.

Castway from trainer Dominic’s yard was fancied most in the Indian Republic Trophy but the public choice surprisingly performed below par. The eight to one shot Aeisir from Pradeeo Annaiah’s yard gained the day, Pradeep Chouhan packing punch in the final furlong to snuff out the challenge of  Silver Dew and the late finishing Poseidon piloted by Darshan.

Chouhan next booted home the public rage Spirit Of London in the concluding event to help the D-day punters return home on a satisfying note, edging out Call Me Maybe and Bluejack in a close finish.

Earlier, the Sulaiman Attaollahi-trained Santamarija Festa won the opening event and the Sharath Kumar-trained Perfectgoldenera won the Saddle Up Cup.

Optimistic Approach from Praveen Jesu’s yard proved too good in the lower division of the Hanumantharaj Memorial Trophy and Prodigal helped Prasanna record a double, coming up tops in the upper division of the Totalizator Cup.