It's Derby time folks. Get on the high horse and hit the high road. Amidst all the hype and hoopla, the Nilgiris Derby at the Blue Mountains has generated big buzz and the railbirds from Chennai, Bengaluru and Mysuru, apart from locals will be down at Udhagamandalam this week-end for the blue riband, which has attracted five top colts and four talented fillies including the 1000 Guineas winner Something Royal from the stables of top pro Sebastian.

To the credit of the Madras Race Club (MRC), it must be mentioned that the premier racing centre has again raised the bar and the owners and professionals are satisfied with the stakes on offer and the facilities provided at the Nilgiris. Most old hats in the game, while pointing out that MRC chairman MAMR Muthiah has been the driving force, made no secret of their opinion that MRC in a couple of years will join the top brigade. "We have big plans and night racing is top on our list. The 2025 season hopefully will be under lights, " said Vincent Dhanraj, Chief Stipendiary steward and Handicapper of MRC. Vincent disclosed that the chairman is always looking and pushing to put MRC in the elite group and soon Chennai will be one of the most sought after centres taking into account that a good number of trainers are looking to make Chennai their home and some big owners looking to shift base, impressed with the stakes and facilities at Guindy are seriously exploring and working on the logistics to make the big shift. 

After the successful Chennai season, the competitive racing and the results obtained at Udhagamandalam has provided a shot in-the-arm for MRC. "We in Chennai have 600 horses including 150 babies. Some of the big owners of Chennai are racing at the other premier centres too. Arun Alagappan won a couple of classics at Malakpet (Hyderabad) and his stock at Bengaluru too has made him proud. Kaliyaperumal, Rajendran representing Rapars Galloping Stars LLP, Cheriyan Abraham, the chairman himself and the big MAM Trust are looking to help MRC scale a new high. And it will happen considering the fact that all the big owners now satisfied with the progress made under the leadership of MAMR Muthiah are now ready to make big investments in the game," said Vincent. 

Vincent revealed that the leading trainers, Adhirajsingh Jodha, James McKeown and Deepesh Narredu, who made Chennai their base helped Chennai get to the next level, good horses under their care dominating and that pushed the local owners to pick up quality stock to compete against the new pros and this set the ball rolling. "Next year we will for sure have 200 youngsters and the number of horses in the campus could go up to 750 and that is a good sign taking into account MRC has built 300 new permanent stables," said Vincent adding that railbirds from the other premier racing centres are pleased with the norm and form at Chennai. 

Back on track to discuss the prospects of the leading contenders in the blue riband run over a mile, the top filly Something Royal from Sebastian's yard is likely to start the favourite in the mega event. The filly will be partnered by Sai Kumar who guided her successfully in the first classic. The frontliner from Sebastian's yard impressed most in her final preparatory gallop and she is the one who has scored over a mile in Guindy. The Adhirajsingh Jodha schooled Time And Tide, winner of the 2000 Guineas, it must be mentioned retains form and fitness and the extended mile long trip is wellwithin his compass. The game galloper looking to record a classic double will test the best and is certain to add pep to the finish. The Bangalore challenger Knotty Charmer from leading trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard who let down large following in his last essay, going down to Time And Tide has improved most and his connections are confident that he will prove to be a force to reckon with in the champion event. "The mile long trip should pose no problems and `Charmer' has come on a lot after his run in 2000 Guineas," said Kamesh, one of the members of the `Knotty Seven' syndicate.

Well all said and done, the thunder of the hooves at the Nilgiris on Sunday will provide a lyrical ring before the champion storms up to wear the Derby sash.