After a few minor hiccups, The Poonawalla Bangalore Derby (Grade I) is finally slated to be held on Sunday, 8th February, 2009. Last year's edition of this race was cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances, and racegoers at this centre were praying that the same should not happen again this year. To the delight of all concerned, matters were sorted out amicably, and a long attractive card of ten events has been framed for the big day. The total stakes on offer in this year’s Derby are approximately Rs 45 lak, with the winner taking a little less than Rs 27 lakh and the attractive trophy donated by the Poonawalla Family. The race this year is expected to be extremely competitive. Although only ten have accepted to face the starter, the quality of the runners and their recent achievements are truly impressive. Seven of them have won "Classics" in the last few months. Fleeting Arrow (Summer Colts Trial Stakes and Bangalore 2000 Guineas), Icebreaker (Bangalore 1000 Guineas and Bangalore Oaks), Abs Fabs (Mysore Derby), Fantastic Quest (Mysore 2000 Guineas), Star Wave (Mysore 1000 Guineas), Star Presentation (Hyderabad Monsoon Derby) and Succeeding Star (Hyderabad Monsoon Colts Trial Stakes) have won the respective races marked against their names. All of them are rated more than 80 by the handicapper and find themselves in the highest Class at this centre. Most of them have been showing out in their morning trials and have been tuned to perfection. The respective camps are quite optimistic about their chances. Fleeting Arrow, Icebreaker and Abs Fabs seem to be slightly better than the rest. The two fillies have raced against each other a few times, and have finished in close proximity on all occasions. Abs Fabs had shown her staying abilities by handling the tough underfoot conditions in the Mysore Derby. She was subsequently beaten a length and a quarter by Icebreaker over a mile and a half in the Bangalore Oaks. The superior class of Icebreaker finally prevailed in that race. Although her breeding does not inspire confidence over longer trips, Icebreaker has developed into a rare specimen. She seems to find extra reserves at crucial stages of a race. Abs Fabs will have to show a marked improvement in her form to get the better of Icebreaker on Sunday. Icebreaker and Fleeting Arrow have yet to clash in a race. They have both beaten Originality by almost identical margins in the 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas in Bangalore. On that form, it is very difficult to separate them. The fact that Icebreaker has run and won over the Derby trip tilts the scales in her favour. Fleeting Arrow has yet to tackle a trip beyond a metric mile. But then, Fleeting Arrow is yet to lose a race on the local track. He has won in all his seven starts at Bangalore, and beaten the best horses while doing so. He is a nice looking colt with a lot of Class. Fleeting Arrow settles nicely in the early stages of a race and accelerates powerfully thereafter. He has struck a fine partnership with Samuel Fargeat, and the two of them are likely to reach the starting gates as marginal favourites ahead of Icebreaker and David Allan. The final outcome of the race will depend on their personal abilities to tackle the gruelling trip of 2,400 metres, and acceleration at the all important end. A tight finish is definitely on the cards. Indiarace:- spoke to a cross section of racing professionals, and we reproduce below what they had to say about the likely outcome of this race. Padmanabhan...It is an interesting Winter Derby. With so many Classic winners in the field, it is obvious that the race is going to be extremely competitive. Icebreaker is meeting the colts Fleeting Arrow and Fantastic Quest for the first time in her career. She has progressed nicely after her Oaks performance. I am hopeful of her victory on Sunday. Arjun Mangalorkar...It is going to be a close race. Abs Fabs has shown that she has no problems over the mile and a half trip. She is working well and will definitely run a big race in the Derby. Babu Rao...My colt is in excellent shape. Fleeting Arrow will definitely stay the trip and I am very confident that he will win the Derby. Jockey Samuel Fargeat shares my optimism about his chances. RR Byramji...There are many good horses in the field. Most of them are "suspect" stayers. Whoever stays the best shall win this race. On sheer Class, I think Fleeting Arrow has the best chance. Darius Byramji...It is an open affair. Everyone has to beat Fleeting Arrow. Zeyn Mirza...We have two runners bred at our Kunigal Stud Farm. Both Fleeting Arrow and Abs Fabs have great credentials. I hope one of them wins. Prithviraj...Timeless Treasure is a vastly improved horse and is looking a picture of good health. I am very confident of his chances in the Derby. B Puttanna...Fleeting Arrow should win. Lokanath... It is very close between Fleeting Arrow and Icebreaker. S Narredu...Fleeting Arrow is the horse to beat. Chris Hayes...I am happy to be riding Abs Fabs in the big race. She has no problems over this distance, and has worked well. She has the Class to challenge the best horses at this centre. On form, she is quite close to Icebreaker over this trip. I have ridden Fleeting Arrow last year. He is a nice relaxed colt, but is yet to prove himself over a staying distance. Suraj Narredu...My horse Able Associate has worked very well. He is comfortable over the Derby distance, and I am hopeful of winning this race. Fleeting Arrow is the one that all have to beat. David Allan...Icebreaker is a lovely filly. She has done everything that I have asked her to do. She has worked well and I am optimistic about her chances in the big race.