Smarting under the defeat at the hands of African Gold in the Colts Championship Trial Stakes, the highest rated Derby contestant Santissimo from champion trainer Pesi Shroff's yard produced a flawless performance in the blue riband of the summer season to register his maiden Derby success in resplendent style. The young Saqlain, who partnered the colt in the mega event after Pesi Shroff roped him in to pilot the champion, uncorked a champagne effort and considering the fact that this was Pesi Shroff's third straight success at this centre, the bubbly has started to flow and the song and dance will continue all night long. Shroff struck it rich on Supernatural (2022), led in Jamari last year and in line for a Derby hat-trick, the champion pro judiciously prepared and sent out the star performer spot on in the HPSL Bangalore Summer Derby and the top colt produced another sublime effort to land the Derby riches, while helping his trainer complete the coveted hat-trick on Super Sunday. 

Immensely pleased with the effort of Santissimo and Saqlain who was honing his skills in Australia before Pesi engaged him to guide the fortunes of the favourite in the mega event, Pesi disclosed that his plan is to retain Saqlain and G Vivek for the Pune and Mumbai season. Vivek in fact piloted Santissimo in the Colts Championship and in the richest event of the season, the winner offered a rich purse of 1.18 crore, Vivek was asked to pilot The Panther, while Saqlain was the chosen one on the favourite colt. Soon after the nine top colts and two fillies including the Fillies champion Excellent Lass came under the starter's flag for the mile-and -quarter classic journey, The Panther hit the front and set a slow pace before Elfin Knight partnered by Neeraj Rawal took over and stepped up the pace in the backstretch. The leader shot his bolt at the top of the straight and soon Suraj Narredu astride Excellent Lass streaked ahead and established a two length advantage before Saqlain packed punch on Santissimo and the champion responding gamely to his young master's call produced a winning gallop to snuff out the challenge of the leading lass and romp home a deserving winner. Positano from SS Attaollahi's yard impressed most while finishing a close third in the marquee event in only his third career start and he will be the one to watch in the classics ahead. Amazing Ruler from Prithviraj's yard was tipped by many pros to wear the Derby sash, but he found this classic company too hot to handle. 

HPSL PROVIDES SILVER LINING TO MARQUEE EVENT 

The head honcho of Horse Power Sports League (HPSL) Suresh Paladugu, who has played a stellar role sponsoring most blue riband events at all the premier racing centres revealed that the idea is to lift the bar and provide Indian racing the platform to catapult to the international scene. "HPSL will continue to associate with the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on a long run and we have sealed a good deal with the RWITC and Hyderabad and hopefully we will get the other centres under one umbrella and rope in all leading commercial brands to provide a new dimension to the sport," said Suresh. The principal sponsor pointed out that it really doesn't help any racing club and particularly HPSL if they strike short period deals. "We need long time and space to reach out and showcase our product in  the international market and it is a gradual process. It doesn't happen overnight and it's high risk if it doesn't go according to plan," said Suresh adding that he is optimistic that the Indian racing equation will change in the years ahead and that HPSL will provide a new dimension to the sport.

Pesi Shroff, Suresh Paladugu, Saqlain and  Santissimo apart, trainer James McKeown and jockey Julien Moulin cornered glory combining effectively to record a rich double through the two lesser fancied winners, John Wick, smart winner of the Mumbai Cup and Once You Go Black who upset the applecart of the public rage Shamrock from Satish Narredu's yard in the principal added attraction on D-day, the Coromandel Gromor BTC Anniversary Cup. The former, twice winner from as many starts is a goodtype of youngster and it will pay to follow his progress in the forthcoming season at Guindy starting next month. 

Leading saddle artiste Antony Raj and top trainer Arjun Manglorkar who combined successfully to record a  fine treble on Derby eve did it again on the D-day, Antony booting home August and La McQueen from Arjun's yard. The former beat the favourite Constable close home in the Hyderabad Salver, while La McQueen in a pulse-pounding finish edged out Magical Bay by the shortest of margins in the upper division of the Indian Pattern Committee Trophy run over a sprint. The lower division of the event was also won by the public choice Phoenomenon from the stables of Dominic.