The bay filly Fynbos delivered a vintage performance on Sunday in the Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Derby (Gr.1), snuffing out the usual suspense long before she crossed the winning post. Her much-anticipated clash on the Mahalaxmi turf with Baychimo never materialized, clearing the way for Fynbos’s triumph. The most coveted prize of the Indian Derby aside — with the Ladies’ Derby already in her bag, it appeared that the Pesi Shroff trainee had a point to prove and with it, she wanted to erase the bitter memories of her defeat in the 1000 Guineas. For that to happen, Shroff had Fynbos tuned to the moment. The performance of Fynbos was nothing but the reflection of the work of a master craftsman.

The tension and the excitement amidst the spectators were palpable as they converged on the lawns to witness the eleven runners taking off from the starting gates, placed bang opposite the members enclosure. Rosario took command at the front with Kings Gambit settled behind whilst Fynbos, steered by Tom Marquand, was stationed in the third spot after tracking Kavya for a while. Baychimo, meanwhile, graced the wrong end of the field but that was no cause for concern for the racegoers as the colt had unleashed a brilliant turn of foot during his recent success. With the field spread out, the equine movement in the contest resembled a Republic Day parade, if you will. As the heads turned for home, Yash Narredu spurred Kings Gambit into the lead and flattered briefly before Marquand decided to bring Fynbos into play.

The winning post was still a furlong and half away from her reach, but Fynbos, her resources marshalled brilliantly by Marquand, marched ceremoniously towards her goal. Once she was past the winning line, and as Marquand eased her up, Fynbos strode nonchalantly, full of pride, dignity as if to announce: Mission Accomplished!

As Kings Gambit fought hard to stay in the reckoning in the final run-in, Sovereign King warmed up and went in chase of Fynbos. It turned out to be futile. While awaiting his arrival on the scene when the race came to a boil, Baychimo’s admirers were stunned into silence as the colt was struggling to find his trademark rhythm. He ran as if he had left his reputation at home. No matter how hard Suraj Narredu tried to inspire him, Baychimo failed to gain ground on the runners, including Fynbos. He eventually finished a tame fifth leaving his fan-following crestfallen.

Fynbos earned Shroff his fourth Indian Derby success, which happened to be the 38th Indian classic feather in his cap. Tom Marquand did not succeed on the three other mounts — Matisse, Constable, and Puccini — Shroff had assigned him during the Derby weekend, but the young British rider goes home elated after executing the job he was summoned for — assisting Fynbos to claim the biggest success of her career. With his flawless performance astride Fynbos, Marquand joins the ranks of the foreign riders — Wally Swinburn, Mick Kinane, G. Baxter, Richard Hughes, Martin Dwyer, David Allan — to name a few, who have previously excelled in the Indian Derby event.

Bred at the Nanoli Stud Farms, the progeny of Kingda Ka out of Mahali is co-owned by Messrs Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy, Zahir K. Dhunjibhoy, Ms Anousha Meyers, Mr Vispi Patel, and Ms Anita J. Captain.