It appears that the `Ladies Derby, the Bangalore Oaks sponsored by the Bookmakers' Association is at the mercy of the 1000 Guineas winner Regal Reality, who undoubtedly is the best filly at this campus. The Sulaiman Attaollahi ward, who chalked out her first classic success in her second career start will again be partnered by the leading pro Akshay Kumar, who is confident that the daughter of Excellent Art will stay the mile-and-half trip and emerge the undisputed queen. 

In a relatively small field of five runners, Scarlette Lady from Prasanna Kumar's yard and Inspire from the stables of Arjun Manglorkar are capable of testing Regal Reality over the 2400 metres trip. But in the 1000 Guineas, Scarlette Lady finished six lengths behind the winner, while Inspire who has the required potential to stake a claim in the classic is back after a poor showing in the Hyderabad classic. Is Inspire sound and will she stand this test of fitness is the big question and that only the filly will answer on the big Ladies Day Out at the BTC on Saturday. 

BTC chairman Manjunath Ramesh after roping in the Bookmakers Association to sponsor the event disclosed that the new committee has designed several new plans to promote the sport and the `Ladies Derby' should put BTC on the high road. "We need to rope in some good sponsors and effort is on to get HPSL under our wings for the blue riband of the season, the winter Derby scheduled to be held on Republic Day," said Ramesh. 

"Good and clean racing will bring home big brands willing to sponsor the big-ticket events at our centre and the new committee is ready and willing to get all the biggies from the corporate and commercial groups in their fold," said Ramesh adding that promotion of the sport is on top of the priority list. 

The new chairman revealed that in an effort to generate interest and excitement among the ladies, a contest of Show Your Style & Win is introduced, and the racing fans can show off their style while they strut their stuff to pick up the five awards: Best Dressed Indian, Best dressed Global, Ms Personality, Ms Best Hat and Ms Bangalore Oaks. The new committee has done well to form a three-member panel, cine actress Sharmila Mandre, Nicole Faria (Miss earth) 2010 and Mrs Neeth Medappa to adjudge the winner. In the past many of the similar awards on Derby day were rigged and the favoured ones nominated by the mandarins of the club were declared winners to the shock and surprise of the big crowd on the classic day. 

President of Bookmakers' Association, Narahari pleased to sponsor the big event disclosed that the Bangalore bookmakers have always pitched in and supported the club. "We understand that each group needs to play a significant part to help the club maintain the required standard and we have always contributed and supported the club when the chips are down," said Narahari. 

Well the stage is set and the onus is on the big fancied contestants and the leading jockeys to stand tall at the podium on the fancy Ladies Day Out at the BTC.