The Golconda Derby is the youngest of the winter Derbies in India having been first run only 1980. In its forty year history, it has been contested as early as 19 January only twice before. First it was in 2003 and then in 2014. In 2003, it did clash with the Indian Oaks, Gr.1 and both the races were run on the same day. The common point between the two previous 19 January Golconda Derbies is that on both occasions the favourite was beaten, Astrologica winning in 2003 and Roses in Bloom in 2014.

Coming to the last decade, it is noticeable that while three Golconda Derby winners -- Arabian Prince, Business Tycoon and King Charles -- were coming into the big race after a run in handicap company, the   seven other winners had run in a  Classic and six of those over 2400 m. On the track, the exchanges between the invading challengers and local contestants are even stevens. Four favourites have justified their backing and three of them were outstation horses. Average rating of the field has been 65 but highest rated runners and last start winners haven't been too prominent. While Suraj Narredu (3) and A. Sandesh (2) have been dominant among the jockeys, Laxman Singh is the only trainer with two wins.

For this year's renewal, Consigliori (Air Support - Caprese) is the obvious choice on form having won the Deccan Derby, Gr.1 and being beaten narrowly in the Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.2 last month. In the Deccan Derby, Gr.1 he finished a length ahead of Royal Crystal with Impavid another length and a half behind in third. Royal Crystal finished seventh in the The Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas, Gr.1 but was just about five lengths behind the winner. Impavid neither enhanced nor tarnished his image in finishing third in the South India Derby, Gr.1. In the Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, Consigliori lost a shoe at a critical juncture and was, perhaps, surprised by the late finishing burst of Vijays Singham. Having won over 2000 m., a mile was too short for him as he comes from a solid staying family. The first notable winner from it was Mansoor Beg whom Pandu Khade rode to victory in the Indian Derby, Gr.1 of 1950. The Renala Stud, where Mansoor Beg was born, was the premier breeding establishment in the undivided India. When it went into Pakistan, India was deprived of some well established families other than its few representatives left in India.  The only mare from this Miss Nancy family remaining in India was a Short Hand half-sister to Mansoor Beg called Chandra Kala at Manjri Stud. The family floundered for a while, was revived first at Byerly Stud  (Deep Water Blues, Byerly Brigade and Scintillation), then at Poonawalla Farms (Cordon Bleu, Cape Star and Continual) and now at Kunigal Stud (Captain Morgan and Consigliori).

The Derby distance is what Consigliori will revel in. He is a galloper who likes to run unfettered in front and that will ensure he has no traffic problems. However, it does leave a horse vulnerable to being ambushed by a late finisher. David Allan will now be alerted to the danger and be on guard against it. Dismounting after the Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, he told the connections that Consigliori was "a proper Derby horse".

Deshmukh's other runner is Ruletheworld (Speaking of Which - Averoff). The colt is a winner of two races and runs in the same ownership as Gift of Grace, the winner of Stylecracker Indian 1000 Guineas, Gr.1 who will be running on Saturday in the Indian Oaks, Gr.1. Ruletheworld scored a good win last time out over 2000 m. His prospects have improved dramatically after Wednesday with Sir Supremo winning the South India Derby, Gr.1 in a most facile manner. Speaking of Which now has Sir Supremo, Rosina (Calcutta Oaks, Gr.3) and Rhapsody (third in Bangalore Oaks, Gr.2). Those are the first crop sire's only three runners  in a 2400 m. Classic as of now and with two winning and the other getting a place, he is suddenly the stallion of the moment.  Ruletheworld is bred to stay, being a half-brother to the dams of Knight Templar and Supreme Fragrance (South India Oaks, Gr.1).  The trainer has worked Consigliori and Ruletheworld together once and must have a shrewd idea of their relative merits. Another of his wards, Lightning Bolt, was the runner-up at Guindy on Wednesday to give him a further input on the current Classic form. Ruletheworld's last piece of work was labelled "outstanding gallop of the day" by the track reporter so he we know that he is in fine fettle. 

Neither of Deshmukh's colts enjoy the highest rating in the field which belongs to Vijays Singham (Leitir Mor- Zarandja). In fact, he is highest rated runner to contest any Classic this year. The burst which he produced to win the Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, coming from last to first, was simply spectacular. What is all the more creditable when you consider that his saddle had slipped during the race. He won on debut as a  two year-old but a setback saw him miss the rest of winter's season and summer racing at Bangalore. Since his return to action in July, he has three wins from five starts. His pedigree, with intricate inbreeding patterns and a tail-female line which goes back to Aga Khan's Mumtaz Mahal, would delight anyone interested in bloodlines. If he can replicate his Guineas finishing effort in the Derby, he would spell danger to any resolute front runner. That is a big "if". Brilliance at a mile does not necessarily spell suitability for a mile and a half Classic as Lightning Bolt discovered on Wednesday. His first season sire Leitir Mor's damsire is the redoutable Galileo. However, the Galileo influence has yet not been seen in Leitir Mor's progeny for he has not had any winner beyond a mile. Leitir Mor himself never won beyond 1400 m. 

Paso Robles (Arazan - Mawaheb) is in the form of her life having won her last four starts including both the fillies' Classics at Malakpet. Never missing the board in her seven starts and having a course and distance victory against her name are big plus points. This is the first Classic in which the Leo D'Silva-trained filly will be facing the colts and her first real test. She faced mediocre opposition in Golconda 1000 Guineas, Gr.2 and Golconda Oaks, Gr.2. That, of course, is not her fault but this is different kettle of cod and her opportunity to prove her true worth. Six of the last seven winter Classics at Hyderabad have been won by horses born at Poonawalla Farms. That is just the kind of trend needed to boost the prospects of Paso Robles and Vijays Singham. In 1997-98, Moment of Glory -- also bred at Poonawalla Farms -- had the Treble of Golconda 1000 Guineas, Gr.2, Golconda Oaks, Gr.2 and Golconda Derby, Gr.1, a feat which Paso Robles is attempting to emulate.

The first member of the 2016 crop to win over the Derby distance is, perhaps, Call of the Blue (Chinese Whisper - Nightlife). He scored over that trip as early as 1 September when he was a three-year-old and provided an encore the following month. He obviously has the stamina and it is not surprising since his grandam is a half-sister to the 1995 Kingfisher Indian Oaks, Gr.1 winner Worthwhile. There hasn't been a runner of Worthwhile's calibre since then but several good middle-distance winners can be found. Last time out, though, he finished well behind Ruletheworld as a favourite. He has been working well in preparation for this race. There are no doubts about his stamina. This is the first black-type race he is running in and it will answer the questions about his class. Artistryy (Sedgefield - Ballade Dannon) was a poor second in the Golconda Oaks, Gr.2 won by  Paso Robles. Her sire has produced some good stayers like Raees and Vulcan and Artistryy's full-sister Swiftness has won over 2400 m. Evidence of required class, though, is missing. Royal Treat, bred on the Multidimensional/Razeen cross, is still a maiden and the least experienced runner with just three starts. He is merely making up the numbers. 

The early scheduling of the Golconda Derby has restricted the number of outstation challengers. Royal Crystal (Western Aristocrat - Sparkling Crystal) is the lone invader. A debut winner as a two year-old at Mumbai, he has moved to Bangalore, raced eleven times in three centres but not managed to his add to his winning tally. His best performances have come at Hyderabad during the monsoon when he was second to stable-mate Impavid in the Deccan Colts' Championship, Gr.3 and to Consigliori in the Deccan Derby, Gr.1. That is a very high level of form and if he can reproduce it, he will be in thick of things. His sire Western Aristocrat is having a splendid year so far with three Classic winners -- Trafalgar, Star Appearance and Izzy.  Maybe it is splitting hair, but his two seconds came on the monsoon track whereas now he will race on the main track. Does the term "Horses For Courses" apply to the centre or the actual track ? Some clarity is needed because can we term Call of the Blue a course and distance winner ?  As a matter of interest, Desert God has never been beaten in his seven starts on the monsoon track but was defeated on his only essay on the main track.      

This is the smallest field for Golconda Derby since the same number went to the post fourteen years ago when Star Hopeful was the winner. The overall rating betters that of Calcutta and South India Derby this year.   

PAST THE POST

A mention has been made above of Western Aristocrat's three Classic winners during the current year. He is not the only one with that distinction because the feat is matched by Usha Stud's first crop stallion Speaking of Which. The son of Invincible Spirit is responsible for Sir Supremo, Gift of Grace and Rosina. In India, mares are covered mostly by the resident stallion and hence how a new stallion starts off becomes very critical.

Usha Stud is one of the leading nurseries in India and it has not had too many stallions in its nearly five decades of existence. That is because all its stallions -- barring China Visit -- have had a really big winner in their first crops.  That has set them up for a long and successful innings. Just to recap:-

Grey Gaston --- Manitou (Indian Derby, Gr.1, etc)
Common Land --- Almanac (Indian Triple Crown, etc)
Treasure Leaf -- Treasure Girl (Kingfisher Derby Bangalore, Gr.1, etc) 
Razeen --- Indictment (Indian Triple Crown, etc.)
Steinbeck -- Running Flame (Wills Indian Turf Invitation Cup, Gr.1, etc)
Multidimensional --- Alaindair (McDowell Signature India Derby, Gr.1, etc)
Speaking of Which -- Gift of Grace (Stylecracker Indian 1000 Guineas, Gr.1)

Hyderabad has had the pleasure of watching almost all of these -- barring Treasure Girl who died young -- first crop stars in action at Malakpet.