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QUEEN SPIRIT LANDS DERBY RICHES

By Ikram Khan | 26 May 2022 | OOTY


After failing to display her true potential in the first classic of the season, the Nilgiris 1000 Guineas, Queen Spirit from the stables of leading professional Sulaiman Attaollahi produced her best in the blue riband of the season, the Nilgiris Derby Stakes. The bred in the purple filly brilliantly piloted by leading `Knight' Zervan produced a quality effort to peg back Glorious Grace from Sebastian's yard and the winner of the 2000 Guineas, Still I Rise under the care of Dr.Anil Kumar's to proudly wear the derby sash and stand tall at the winners' podium.

The winner of the 1000 Guineas. Remediesofspring was fancied most alongwith Still I Rise, who garnered maximum support at the end in the event. But the two top fancies failed in their effort to emerge the champion horse, Remediesofspring despite looking good at the paddock parade failing in her effort to make an impression in the mega event , while Still I Rise only finished third ahead of Prince Purple.All credit to Sulaiman who trusted his filly even after she lost badly in the 1000 Guineas. And Queen Spirit justified the confidence of her trainer in resplendent style. 

The ten to one shot Golden Streak from Karthik's yard stunned the followers of form in the opening event, the Kallar Handicap run over a distance of 2000 metres. Swiss Agatta from Anil Kumar's yard was strongly fancied to score, backed down from (18/10) to even-money but the Anil Kumar ward piloted by Ashhad Asbar raced in patches and failed to even make the frame. The topweighted Golden Streak partnered in copybook fashion by Ishwar Singh edged out lesser fancied Mystic Zlatan, while Propahlady from lady trainer Rupa's yard did well to finish third ahead of Welcome Chakkaram. The runner-up Mystic Zlatan, it appears has now regained form and fitness and it will pay to follow this Ajith Kumar ward when saddled next. 

New Look from Ravinder Singh's yard again produced a lackadaisical performance much to the chagrin of her supporters in the Defence Services Staff College Cup run over a mile. The well fancied chestnut filly after initial promise was never in the hunt. The six to one shot Eagle Prince edged out Star Symbol in a thriller, a `neck' separating the two at the wire. Gallantry finished third, but later was disqualified following the unpardonable mistake of jockey Vikram who failed to weigh in after the race and as a result Ignorance Of Bliss gained the third spot to the delight of her supporters who had fancied the mare in place. 

Undeniable from trainer Ramanathan's yard, who had finished second behind Waytogo in his last effort went one better, winning the Madras Regimental Centre Challenge Trophy run over a mile. The winner piloted by apprentice jockey Gaurav Singh looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and the six-year-old produced another neat effort to get into the winners' circle, while the strongly fancied Moresco took a lot of good money down the drain failing to make the frame. Majestic Wind gained the runner-up berth ahead of the rankoutsider Victory Walk, who surprised most gaining the third place ahead of Grand Royal. 

Ibrahimovic, who let down large following in his last start after making a impressive debut shed his maiden status in style justifying the confidence of all his supporters who trusted the Adhirajsingh Jodha ward to come good in the Priceless Asset Plate despite his poor showing in his last start. The strongly supported public choice in the hands of Kaviraj produced a sublime effort suggesting that more will be heard of him in the months ahead. Royal Monarch gained the runner-up spot ahead of Swiss Girl while Beerrettini surprisingly performed below par.