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BORN QUEEN WINS SOUTH INDIA DERBY STAKES (GR.1)

By Mahendra Mallya | 14 Jan 2021 | MUMBAI


Trainer Satish Narredu leading Born Queen (Suraj Narredu up), winner of the South India Derby Stakes (Gr.1)

The Madras Race Club played perfect hosts for their biggest race of the season – The South India Derby Stakes (Gr1) for four year olds. Even though the stands were not exactly filled, there were enough crowds to cheer around and add flavour to the festive atmosphere. Under the circumstances, the hype was evident as it should be on a big day out at the historic venue. 

The line-up for the derby had more outsiders than locals. Born Queen was the popular fancy, having twice raided Chennai returning successfully each time with the spoils in the South India 1000 Guineas (Gr2) and the South India Oaks (Gr2). She had now taken a third trip to Chennai from Bengaluru for the biggest conquest of them all. She had it easy on both those previous occasions and there was no reason why she could not do it again. There were doubters who felt whether the filly, who had travelled back to base in Bengaluru after each victory, could take the grind of travel after running and winning the classics; but not her trainer Satish Narredu. 

Born Queen is a thoroughly professional athlete. Sometimes I feel she actually understands the business of racing. You will be surprised how she goes about her routine without fuss. She travels calmly and has never been a bother. Her owners too were keen on giving her a chance to take a crack at the Derby, so we decided to return to Chennai, a decision we took in the nick of time” said Satish Narredu.

Born Queen, the ‘non-fussy’ filly, lived up to the expectations and showed out on the race track! 

Sporting Memories hit the front soon on start, galloping at a steady pace and even tried the runaway tactics through the back-stretch. He was followed by Hope Island about four or five lengths behind. Jockey Suraj Narredu had Born Queen another couple of lengths behind and had Born Legend and Successor for company on the outside, the rest were racing in a close huddle not too far away from the action. 

Sporting Memories guiding them homewards with Hope Island and Born Legend on his haunches, Born Queen flexed her muscles for her final run with Successor right on her heels. Suraj shot through a slender gap between Sporting Memories and the tiring Hope Island at just the right juncture. 

Taking the cue, Born Queen shifted gears and surged forward in a trice, stretching out magnificently with about a furlong and half to go. It was all over in the next couple of strides. Born Queen blazed away and was out of reach for the rest. She sailed ahead leaving no chance whatsoever for any late challenges. She won by two-and-half lengths with something in the tank. Born Queen flashed past the winning post with Suraj waving his hand in a triumphant gesture and perhaps a bit in awe of the filly as well. After all, Born Queen had achieved the feat of winning three Classics in a row and kept her slate clean with five career victories on the trot. ‘Awesome’ – would be the one word description for Born Queen! 

Sporting Memories kicked on gamely to finish a clear second, well ahead of Taimur and Successor. 

“Oh she is a joy to ride,” exclaimed jockey Suraj Narredu. “Each time she surprises me and that is indeed pleasing. If you see her graph, she has made steady progress from race to race, starting from the five and half furlong sprint to the Derby distance (mile and half). She has the depth and the right temperament. It was a much slower pace in the Oaks and there she sat back last, for most of the journey and had then accelerated wonderfully to win it. This time I had her up in third or fourth and again she was ready to unleash her dash the moment I asked her to go. This is the exceptional quality she possesses. For a filly to do this in spite of the travel to and fro (Bengaluru-Chennai) each time, that too within four weeks and picking up three Classics shows that she is a brave heart. I can sum it up by saying that she is a happy soul and loves to run,” concluded Suraj.

“Mission accomplished,” was the first reaction from trainer Satish Narredu. He also went on to reveal a behind-the-scenes incident: “To admit honestly, we were worried about the unseasonal rains at Chennai and even contemplated skipping the Derby here! There was an engaging discussion with the URBB team who own the filly. Hold your breath, I was not in favour of running the filly in ‘wet’ conditions, and expressed my apprehensions. However, Mr Saketh Bahuguna insisted we run her, even at the cost of the hefty final entry fee and the speculation over the underfoot conditions. He maintained his stance that we go ahead optimistically, with the sole intent at giving Born Queen the chance to go for it. Looking back, I do feel sheepish, but that I don’t mind if it ends this way. This kind of support and encouragement is what makes such debates and discussions an anecdote to recall past the post,” said Satish Narredu. Well, kudos to the senior Narredu for his candid disclosure and giving credit where it is due, how many would?

Pressed to reveal further on what the future plans were for Born Queen, Satish paused before quipping, “There’s a little time to think of the future course for the filly; a tryst with the Indian Derby surely lingers and another round of debate & discussion looks inevitable. This time however, I am certain that we will all be on the same page!”  

A Five out of Five victory tally is a tall achievement; throw in the South India 1000 Guineas, the South India Oaks and now the South India Derby (Gr1) all in a span of just four weeks is rare. That’s when you know that here is a young superstar, raring to go for bigger glories. Surely we all want to see Born Queen taking on tougher opponents in the Indian Derby (Gr1) come February!