The D-day has finally arrived! Offering a total stakes of over Rs.54 lakhs, including Rs.33 lakhs for the winner, the Nilgiris Derby (Gr-!) seems to attract a sizeable crowd tmrw, both at Ooty and other centres conducting IVB.
Following are my selections ONLY FOR PLACE for the Derby card :
1. SQUADRON LEADER (Nothing much to dispute about...should be a runaway leader to start the Derby day proceedings on a happy note for followers of money)
2. BREAK THE SILENCE (This Sebastian-trained horse has been knocking at the doors steadily and should be there on the board without making a fuss)
3. SEMELE (Another cinch for the day for PLACE bet. This will be the second of four winners that Akshay Kumar is expected to score)
4. TEXAS ROSE (Ashhad Asbar seems to have read the Ooty race course very well and should not find it difficult to take this animal to the front and be there till the busy end)
5. CASTILIAN (Doesn't need any recommendation)
6. APALIS (Will help Akshay Kumar complete a quadrupule of wins)
7. MERRYWIN (This vastly-improving horse should manage to be in the first three places in the safe hands of fast-maturing Gaddam)
8. ONYX (A steady performer. Should be on the board)
9. JERICHO (Experienced Imran Khan will try to register his only win on the Derby day here. Can be considered a PLACE certainty)