The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) Terms races/ 4 years old only 2400m

The kingfisher ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) wears an open look with unbeaten War Hammer, local darling Juliette, Calcutta challenger Trafalagar, Hyderabad challenger Consigliori being the prime contenders, Well connected and Impavid have failed to keep the winning form and will have to put and stout hearted performance. The best horse on the given day will emerge as a champion and bag the title. 

Among the 5 winter Derbies 4 regional Derbies are done and dusted. Progeny of Western Aristrocrat (USA) has won 2 derbies and Progeny of Speaking Of Which (IRE) and Air Support (USA) Have won 1 derby each. Jockey suraj narredu has 2 derbies in his classic book while S John and David Allan have one each to their classic records. Among the 4 Derbies contested so far War Hammer (Air support (USA))- Soviet Lake has clocked the fastest time of 2 :28:86 and has clung on to win emphatically by a margin of 4 lengths with none of the components matching to his turn of foot. There are exceptional cases of horses who have outclassed their pedigree in the classics we saw Star Superior outclassed his pedigree and clung on to win The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) in a mile and half, We saw the Progeny Of Air Support(USA) Impavid and consiglori putting their heart and soul in 1 and half mile but were not superior as the winner on the post  , to outclass the pedigree is what we  recently saw in The Shree Meenakshi Sundereshwara Banglore Derby (Gr.1)  where War hammer (Air Support (USA) ) – Soviet Lake outclassed his components his dam Soviet Lake has won 5 races upto 6 furlongs. With this win War Hammer is the best of 2016 crop and is yet to be beaten after bagging 7 wins in a row with a combined margin of more than 22 lengths.

A Derby is meant to crown the best horse of a particular crop over the classic distance and while it does succeed in that objective frequently, it also throws up some hal shockers from time to time.

There are several imponderables which cause a horse to lose a race,whereas the winner has to do everything right. In any sport percentage play is of utmost importance. It may not bring success on a given day but over period of time the percentage invariably come on top.

The 5th and the last winter Derby which is also the 78 th Renewal of The  Indian Derby (Gr.1) will be run at Mahalaxami race course in Mumbai on Sunday 2nd February 2020. Exactly 11 years ago we saw a classic filly in Indian history Jacqueline who bagged 1000 Guineas(Gr.1), 2000 Guineas (Gr.1), Indian Oaks (Gr.1), Indian Derby (Gr.1)  in gap of less than 90 days she lost to Becket in The Invitation cup (Gr.1) by a verdict of hd had she won that race she would have made 5 wins in a season the reason to elaborate this is that eventhough there is small gap for preparation if there is class, stamina and fitness on a given day a horse can give a stouthearted performance, Another example is Diabolical winning the Golconda Derby and The Indian Derby in a Gap of 7 days, Tiger Tops finished 2nd to Quasar In The Everyday Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr.1) and then bagged the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1) by 3 lengths in gap of 7 days. Among the horses accepted to run the Indian Derby we have a champion colt and the best of 2016 crop  War hammer who is unbeaten in his 7 starts and will be running the Indian Derby within a gap of 7 days after towering all his opponents easily in The Banglore Derby last Sunday.

A big field of 20 runners has been accepted to run The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) in which the colts have outnumbered the fillies in terms of numbers.8 local challengers and 12 raiders will compete for the derby crown among 20 runners we have 11 colts, 4 gieldings, 4 fillies and a single rig. The average rating of field is 73.35 with War Hammer the highest rated and justified the lowest rated. With almost all the Derby winners from all centers participating the race looks quite open but the effortless victory of War Hammer last Sunday has boosted the hopes of many contenders including the local darling Juliette. All horses will be running with a gap of less than 30 days except Northern Alliance And Wizard of stocks who haven’t raced for more than 40 days.

Indian Derby (Gr.1)  ( Records since 2006 year, year followed by  horse name followed by jockey name)

2006          Velvet Rope                 P Kamlesh

2007          Diabolical                    Colm O Donghoue

2008          Hotstepper                  M J Kinane

2009          Antonios                      S A Desousa

2010         Jacqueline                     R Hughes

2011 Moonlight Romance           David Allan

2012   In The Spotlight                Martin Dwyer

2013    Super Storm                    J Fortune

2014    Alaindair                          Y S Srinath

2015   Be Safe                             Suraj Narredu

2016    Desert God                    David Allan

2017    Hall Of Famer               David Allan

2018   Rochester                      C S Jodha

2019    Star Superior               Suraj Narredu

Highest margin of winning since 2006 is by 7 lengths in 2012 by In The Spotlight

Lowest margin of winning since 2006  is by nk in 2008 Hotstepper

Highest Field of runners 20 runners ran in 2016 and this year 2020

Lowest field of runners 11 runners ran in 2006

Indian jockeys to win since 2006

P Kamlesh – 2006

Y S Srinath – 2014

Suraj Narredu – 2015, 2019

C S Jodha   - 2018

Foreign jockeys winning since 2006

Colm O Donghoue – 2007

M J Kinane – 2008

S A Desousa  - 2009

R Hughes -  2010

David Allan – 2011, 2016, 2017

Martin Dwyer – 2012

J Fortune – 2013

Highest margin of winning since 2006 piloted by foreign jockey – 7 lengths by In The Spotlight Piloted  by Martin Dwyer

Highest margin of winning since 2006 piloted by Indian Jockey – 5 lengths Star superior piloted by Suraj Narredu

Most successful trainer since 2006 – S Padmanabhan trained horses won in 2012, 2016, 2018

1  Consigliori        4 y b c    Trainer  LVR Deshmukh

Air Support (USA) – Caprese      jockey  P Trevor

This classic colt has vanned all the way from Hyderabad. Till date he has ran 11 races and has won 4 races and finished 2nd  4 times. He emerged as a winner in The Deccan Derby (Gr.1) by 1 length where he outclassed the classic field like Royal crystal, Impavid and Well connected. He then finished 2nd to Vijays  Singham in The Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) by a verdict of nk.  He recently finished 2nd to Royal Crystal in The Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr.1) by a verdict of nk. He is half brother to Captain Morgan who was winner of classic races and also a stayer and Consiglioris stamina and class Describes the rest. He has been working good in his morning tracks and will be running with a gap of 13 days and to be piloted by P trevor will have a start to end mission in completing the race.

2  Daddys Pride    4 y b c       Trainer  Subhag Singh

Oath (IRE) – Cannon jet     jockey T S Jodha

This local challenger till date has ran 7 races and is winner of 2 races finished 2nd once and third twice.He finished 3rd to Trouvaille in The Pune Derby (Gr.1) by 6 lengths.He recently finished 4th to Victorious Sermon  in The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold  Cup (Gr.3).  He is working good in his morning trials and to be piloted by T S Jodha will be tested in class and will run a fighting race in this classic field.

3   Impavid    4 y dk b c          Trainer    Arjun Mangalorkar

Air Support (USA)  - Polenta (IRE)     jockey  David Egan

This classic colt has travelled from Banglore.Till date he has ran 9  races and is winner of 5 races placed 2nd twice and placed 3rd twice. He won his first 3 races by a combined margin of more than 11 lengths. He started his carreer on a winning note in banglore in 6 furlongs by a verdict of 8 1/4 lengths ahead of Blue Bliss, he then emerged as a winner by 3/4 lengths ahead of Sir supremo in a mile, he emerged as a winner in class 2 ahead of Blue Moon by verdict of 2 1/4 lengths, he then finished 2nd to War Hammer by 3/4 lengths in The Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.1) by  (Both bred at Kunigal Stud), he swung in the straight  and was beaten on post by well connected by verdict of lnk in The Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore (Gr.1), he moved on to Hyderabad and won the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.3) by 1 length ahead of Stablemate Royal Crystal, he finished 3rd to Consiglori by 2 lengths which was a big upset in The Deccan Derby (Gr.1) (both bred at Kunigal stud), he then moved on to Chennai given another chance to prove him by the connections David Egan had to put his heart and soul in riding in a nail bitting win by a verdict of hd in The South India 2000 Guineas (Gr.2). He recently finished 3rd to Sir Supermo in The South India Derby (Gr.1),Impavid is half brother to Captain cook who was winner of The Calcutta Derby (Gr.2), he finished 7th in The Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr.1), he finished 2nd in The Calcutta St.Leger (Gr.3), Impavids half sister Eternal Angel finished 3rd in The Golconda Oaks (Gr.2). This son Of Air Support (USA)  has been struggling to continue his winning streak he surely has the stamina and class to outclass this field and his bloodline describes the rest He has been working good in his morning trials and will be running with a gap of 17 days and to be piloted by David Egan will have a bold show.

4   Justified    4 y b c        Trainer  Imtiaz A sait

Multidimensional (IRE) – Secret Garden   Jockey  A Imran Khan

This local challenger till date has ran 6 races and is winner of single race and finished 3rd once. He finished 8th to Trouvaille in The Pune Derby (Gr.1). He is half brother to secret visit who finished 3rd to Dandified in The Calcutta Monsoon Derby (Gr.3), she also finished 5th to IN The Spotlight in The Calcutta Oaks (Grade3), justified’s half sister Keukenhof finished 3rd to Isnt she special in The Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1), she was winner of The C N Wadia Gold Cup (Gr.2) and the stamina and class describes the rest.Justified is working good in his morning trials and is yet to be tested in class and to be piloted by A Imran Khan will run a fighting race to keep the pride of the family.

5     Lightning Bolt  4 y ch c        Trainer L V R Deshmukh

Excellent Art(GB)- Shamaal       jockey  Akshay Kumar

This colt has travelled from Hyderabad, till date he has ran 6 races and is winner of 3 races finished 2nd  twice and 3rd once.He emerged as a winner in Bangalore by 2 1/2 lengths ahead of unstoppable in 6 furlongs, he finished 3rd to War Hammer in The Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.1) in Bangalore, he then emerged as a winner in Hyderabad by 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Victory Parade in 7 furlongs he then emerged as a winner by 1 length ahead of Premier Action, he then moved on to Chennai and in last furlong he was about to finish ahead of Impavid but finished 2nd by a verdict of hd in The South India 2OOO Guineas (Gr.2).He finished 2nd to Sir Supremo in The South India Deby Stakes (Gr.1)  His dam shamaal finished 8th behind Noble Eagle in The Mcdowell Indian Derby (Grade 1). Lightning bolts half brother Field Marshall finished 3rd in The Mcdowell Signature Premier Indian Derby (Gr.1) behind In The Spotlight and Smashing. Star superior has outclassed the pedigree of His sire Excellent Art (GB).Lightning Bolt has been working good in his morning trials and to be piloted by Akshay Kumar will give a fight to other contenders.

6  Northern Allaince   4 y b c          Trainer    Niel  B Devaney

Gusto (GB) – Allonia         Jockey  Yash Narredu

This colt has travelled all the way from Banglore Till date he has ran 8 races and is winner of 3 races and finished 2nd twice. He emerged as a winner in The Banglore Summer Million (Gr.3) by 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Corna Del Corsa, he emerged as a winner in The Jayachamaraja  Wadiyar Golf Club Mysore 2000 Guineas (Gr.3) where he was at the back of field and then came with the rattling run from wide outside to win the race by 1 3/4 lengths, He recently finished 2nd to War Hammer in The Banglore 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) by 1 3/4 lengths.He has been rested since then he has been working good in his morning trials and to be piloted by  Yash Narredu will give a fight to other contenders.

7   Royal crystal       4  y b  c      trainer Arjun mangalorkar

Western Aristrocrat (USA) – Sparkling crystal ( IRE) jockey  S John

Another classic colt from banglore till date has ran 13  races and is winner of 2 races  and finished on board 9  times out of 13 starts.  As like Thailand this colt started his carreer  in western india in stables of Hosidar Daji and then shifted to bangalore. He started his carreer on winning note by 7 lengths ahead of Dandi march, after 5 runs he headed to Banglore with change of stables.  He finished 9th to war hammer in Karnataka juvelline million GR 3, he then headed to Hyderabad and finished 2nd to Impavid in the deccan colts championship GR 3, he then finished 2nd to consigliori by 2 lengths in the deccan derby GR 1. He recently finished 3rd to Kerazano, He finished 7th to Trouvaille in The Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1), He then vanned to Hyderabad and jockey S john had to put his heart and soul in riding to finish ahead of Consigliori in The Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr.1) by a verdict of nk to bag The derby Crown giving a proud moment to all owners and trainers. He will be running in a gap of 13 days A win in Golconda Derby will have boosted the morals of his company earlier in monsoon Derby he finished 2nd to Consigliori having a benefit of that run he rattled and finished ahead of consigliori in The winter Derby. He has been working good in his morning trials and to be piloted by S john  will be one of the front line contender.

8      Sir Supremo   4 y b c       Trainer    S Narredu

Speaking Of Which (IRE) –Cool Mover  Jockey  N S Parmar

This colt has travelled all the way from Banglore, till date he has ran 10  races and is winner of 2 races finished 2nd thrice and 3rd twice.He finished 6th to well connected in the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Banglore (Gr.1), he finished 6th to Northern Alliance In The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club Mysore 2000 Guineas (Gr.3), his only win came ahead of Star and Garter in Banglore by a verdict of snk in 7 furlongs, he recently finished 3rd to Impavid in The South India 2OOO Guineas (Gr.2). He emerged as a winner in The South India Derby (Gr.1) by 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Ligtning Bolt and Impavid. He has had a rest of 17 days he is working good in his morning trials and to be ridden by N s parmar  will have to run a good race to compete in this classic field.

9     Southern Ruler       4 y ch c       Trainer  S Ganapathy

Saamidd (GB) – Farha(USA)      Jockey C s jodha

Improving and promising colt from the yards of S Ganapathy, till date he has ran 11  races and is winner of single race finished 2nd and 3rd twice each.He started his carreer in Bangalore and finished last in his first outing among 11 runners, after a run then he was brought to western India and finished 8th to Missing YOU in The Poonawalla Breeders Multi Million (Gr.1), he then finished 2nd to Trouvaille in The Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders Juvelline Colts Championship (Gr.3), he moved on to Bangalore and finished 4th to Cosmic Ray by 7 3/4 lengths in The Sir Bruce Plate in 7 furlongs, he finished 2nd to Victorious sermon by snk in The Fantabulous King Plate Div-1 in 7 furlongs,he finished 4th to well connected in The Kingfisher Ultra Derby Banglore (Gr.1), he finished 5th to northern Alliance in The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club Mysore 2000 Guineas (Gr.3), he then swung in the staright and outclassed his rivals winning emphatically by 7 3/4 lenghths in The AVR Group and Catalyst Properties Mysore Derby (Gr.1) which was only the win of his carreer, he recently finished 3rd to War Hammer in The Banglore 2000 Guineas (Gr.2). He finished 5th to Sir Supremo in The South India Derby Stakes (Gr.1) His half sister Like wise finished 4th to Veronese in The Golconda Oaks (Gr.2) and the stamina to stay this trip describes the rest.  He has had a rest of 17 days he is working good in his morning trials, he will play a supporting role to in form in Juliette and to be ridden by C S Jodha will have to plan made by the connections.

10   Sultan Suleiman      4 y b g      trainer Altaf Hussain

Arazan (IRE)- Saffron Dancer (IRE)  Jockey Neeraj Rawal

Another classic and promising colt, he is runner of 5   races and winner of 2 races and finished 2nd once.This classic colt showed his class in his very first outing in Pune and won by 2 3/4 lengths ahead of memorable eyes in 7 furlongs.  He then emerged as a winner in The SA poonawalla Million GR 3 by verdict of nk ahead of touvaille, he was withdrawn in pune derby, he finished 2nd to Juliette by 1 1/4 lengths in Mumbai where he carried 4.5 kgs extra than the winner and warmed up very late in the straight  .He recently finished 9th in The Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 G GR 2 to Trouvaille.  He recently finished 3rd to Victorious Sermon in The Ramniwas Ramnaraian Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3)His half brother Star presentation finished 3rd to Set Alight in The Kingfisher Derby Banglore GR 1, He was winner of The Golconda Textiles Deccan Derby GR 1, He finished 2nd in The poonawalla Mysore Derby GR1 and ran many classic races.His sire produced Paso robles won the Golconda 1000 G GR 2 and The Golconda oaks GR 2 recently. His bloodline shows that he has stamina and class he has had a rest of 23 days he has been working good in his morning trials and to be ridden by Neeraj Rawal will have to put a high class performance to outclass this field as he is not to his winning form as he had started in his Pune campaign.

11    Topnotch    4 y b rig            Trainer    Shafiq Khan

Top Class ( USA) – Elzaam       Jockey Imran Chisty

This colt till date has ran 12  races and is winner of single race finished 2nd 4 times and 3rd twice.He finished 4th to Jaivant in The Indian Champagne Stakes (Gr.3), he finished 2nd to Jaivant by 3/4 lengths in The Calcutta Million (Gr.2),he finished 2nd to Trafalgar in The Grand Annual Mile by 2 lengths, he finished 4th to Tenno sho in The Calcutta colts trial stakes, he finished 5th to Trafalgar in The Calcutta Monsoon Derby (Gr.2), he recently emerged as a winner ahead of Joss by a verdict of nose in 7 furlongs.His Dam Elzaam finished 6th in The Banglore Oaks (Grade2). He finished 4th to Trafalgar in The Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr.1)  He has stamina to stay but his class is yet to be tested he is working good in his morning trials and with Imran Chisty  to guide him should run a fighting race.

12   Trafalgar      4 y b c      Trainer  J E Mckeown

Western Aristrocrat(USA) – Bluegrass Phenom (USA)   Y S srinath

This classic colt from yards of J E Mckeown has won both the monsoon and winter Derbies  . Can his trainers horse  break the record of winning The Indian Derby trained by Calcutta based Trainer. Till date Trafalgar  has ran 7  races and is winner of 4  races fnished 2nd and 3rd once. He started his carrerr on a winning note as a 3 year old winning by a margin of 1 1/2  lengths ahead ofManzoni in The BK Poddar cup, he won by 2 lengths ahead of Topnotch in The Grand Annual Mile, he movedon to Banglore and finished 3rd to War Hammer in The Karnataka Juelline Million (Gr.3), he finished 4th to War Hammer in The Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.1), he was then brought to calcutta  and finished 2nd to Tenno Sho in The Calcutta Colts and Trials by a verdict of 2 3/4 lengths.He emerged as a winner in The Calcutta Monsoon Derby (Gr.2) by a margin of 3 lengths. He emerged as a winner in The Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr.1) by 1 length.He has had a gap of 20 days for the preparation he is working good in his morning trials and to be ridden by Y s Srinath will be a front line contender.

13   Trouvaille    4 y dkb g    trainer   sk sunderji

Surfrider( IRE) – Highly fashionable     jockey  Nicky Mackay

Another classic and promising colt till date has ran  9   races and is winner of 3 races and finished  2nd 5 times. This colt started his carreer in Mumbai finished 2nd behind Hunt for gold in first 2 starts and then finished 2nd to missing you in The poonawalla bredders multi million GR 1, he then went on to win the shapoorji pallonji breeders juveline colts championship GR 3 by 4 1/4 lengths ahead of southern ruler and gallantary, he then finished 5th to Golden guest in pune in the FD wadia trophy GR 3, he then  finished 2nd to sultan Suleiman in the SA poonawall million GR 3 by a verdict of nk the later was withdrawn in pune derby and former went on to win The pune derby GR 1 BY 2 3/4  lengths ahead of wizard of stocks, he recently emerged as a winner in The Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 G (Gr.1)  on  the post by a verdict of nose ahead of Alexi.  He recently finished 2nd to Victorious Sermon in The Ramniwas Ramnaraian Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3) by 3 1/2 lengths. He is half brother to That’s my darling who was runner in The Deccan Derby (Gr.1) in the field of Desert God Trouvaille has had a gap of 23 days since last run he is working good in his morning trials and to be ridden by Nicky Mackay will have to put an extra ordinary turn of foot on the Mahalaxmi staright.

14    Victorious Sermon       4 y b g   trainer   vishal gaikwad

Whatsthescript(IRE)- Crystal     jockey  A sandesh

Another classic contender till date has ran 8  races and is winner of 3  races finished 2nd twice and 3rd once. This colt started his carreer in mumbai and finished 2nd behind Juliette by 1 3/4 lengths, he then headed to banglore and finished 2nd to Cosmic ray by 1 length, he emerged as a winner in 7 furlong ahead of southern ruler by a verdict of  snk, he then finished ahead of Gift of Grace by 5 1/2 lengths, he was brought back to western india and finished 3rd to sultan Suleiman in the SA poonawalla million GR 3.  He finished 4th in the pune derby GR 1 behind Trouvaille. He recently finished 5th in The Villoo Poonawalla 2000 G  GR 2,He recently emerged as a winner in  The Ramniwas Ramnaraian Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3) by 3 1/2 lengths he has had a gap of 23 days since his last run he is working good in his morning trials and to be ridden by A sandesh will be the joker in the pack.

15    War Hammer    4 y dkb c    Trainer  Prasanna Kumar

Air support (USA) – Soviet Lake    Jockey Suraj Narredu

This classic colt is the best of 2016 crop so far  and is yet to be beaten, This son of Air Support (USA) has outclassed his pedigree when there were butterflies running in stomach after the loss of consigliori and Impavid that whether war hammer will stay the mile and half distance or not.Till date he has ran 7 races and is yet to be beaten with combined winning margin of more than 22 lengths.He was winner of The Bangalore Juvelline Million (Gr.3) by 6 lengths, he was winner of The Karnataka Juvelline million (Gr.3) by 2 3/4 lengths, he then emerged as a winner in The Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.1) by 3/4 lengths ahead of impavid he missed the monsoon season due to setback and missed the classics, he was rested and after a gap of 5 months he was back to racing track and emerged as a winner in class 1 by 3 lengths, he then Bagged the Banglore 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) to his name winning it comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths, the horse has responded well in every run and it was obvious that he will start as a favourite in the derby, He responded well and settled at the back of field and in the final furlongs his magical turn of foot in the straight did the rest when champion suraj narredu gave him couple of reminders to Bag the Shree Meenakshi Sundereshwara Bangalore Derby (Gr.1) crown winning it comfortably by 4 lengths where he outclassed both his components and pedigree.He has been brought to Mahalaxami and will be running in a gap of 7 days. It is obvious that the unbeaten colt will start as the favourite and most punters will follow him till he is beaten, but the question arises of his fitness is he fit 100% has he got enough of rest after the race and travelling ? will the mahalaxami straight suit him another question is that if he is fit only 90 % can he beat the field many questions need to be answered there is no doubt regarding his stamina and class but a matter of fitness on a given day in a classic race is of  utmost important it is also regarding the intelligent skill of jockey how he positions in a huge field. A old saying is we have to follow the horse till he is beaten and with butterflies running in stomach War hammer to be ridden by champion Suraj narredu will be the one to beat.

16   Wizard of stocks     4  y b g          trainer   p shroff

Speaking of Which (IRE)- Margarita (USA) Leigh Roche

This classic colt from p shroffs yard started his carreer in Mumbai and finished 2nd by 3/4 lengths behind  galloping goldmine, he then headed to banglore and emerged as a winner ahead of Fransics bacon by 4 lengths, he finished 5th to war hammer in the colts championship stakes GR 1.  He was brought back to pune and after a run finished 2nd to trouvaille in the pune derby GR 1. He recently finished 4th to Trouvaille in The Viloo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) his trainer is known to prepare classic horses he started has a pacemaker To alexi in the 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) stepping out of Alexi means he is the only colt from p shroffs yard he has had a rest of 41 days and got enough time for preparation he has been working good in his morning tracks and to be ridden by Leigh Roche will have a bold show and may upset in the Derby.

17   Armaity          4 y b f         trainer P Shroff 

Multidimensional (IRE)- Hills and Stars   jockey  C D Hayes

This daughter of multidimensional (IRE)-Hills and Stars started her carreer in pune and won by margin of 81/4 lengths ahead of Baku and Valliant start in her first outing, she then travelled to south India and finished 8th to My Journey, she was then brought back to mumbai and finished behind start comrade by verdict of 3/4 lengths warming up to late at the post. She has had a mile run in hands of N S Parmar.  Her dam Hills and Stars was a winner of nanoli stud Pune Derby GR 1, she was also a winner of governors cup GR 3 in Banglore, she went on to win the Golconda St Leger GR 2.  Armaity finished 8th to Gift Of Grace in The Style Cracker Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1).  She finished 4th to Juilette in The Indian Oaks (Gr.1) she has been working good in her morning trials and to be ridden by C D hayes will fight for minor placings.

18  Juliette   4 y b f    trainer karthik ganapathy

Musketier (GER) - Gimmesumsugar (USA)  jockey Colm o Donghoue

The gold and brown colours are back in the limelite with a bang and Juliette with an emphatical  win in The Indian Oaks (Gr.1) will be looking to wear a derby crown

This filly from stables of karthik ganapathy till date has ran 5 races,  she is winner of 2 runs and placed 3rd once  , she has been given run in hands of ordinary jockey bhawani singh, her recent run in mumbai ahead of sultan suleiman and alexi by 11/4 lengths shows that the mile trip with extra 200 meters to travel in bombay staright will not be an issue for her.  she recently finished 3rd to Gift Of Grace in The Style Cracker Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1). She towered her opponents in the straight with a rattling run in The Indian Oaks (Gr.1) and won by 5 3/4 lengths with none of the runners matching her strides, she has been working good in her morning trials and with Colm o DONGHOUE to ride her will be the front line contender and threat to war hammer.

19  Thailand    4 y b f          trainer Arjun Mangalorkar

Top Class(USA0- Immortal story   jockey S Zervan

Another classic filly who started her carrer in Hosidar Dajis stable in western India and then moved on to banglore to Arjun Mangalorkars yard. She has had a total of 7 runs and is winner of single race finished 2nd thrice and 3rd twice.In her first outing she emerged as a winner by 1 1/4 lengths ahead of missing you, after 3 starts she changed her stable and headed to banglore, she finished 2nd to classic Anjeze, she then finished 2nd to well connected by 1 1/2 lengths in The Fillies championship stakes GR 1, she then headed to hyderabad and finished 3rd to well connected, she finished 4th to cosmic ray in The Raghulal mysoore 1000 G GR 3. She finished 3rd to Juliette in The Indian Oaks (Gr.1) she is back in form, she is working good in her morning trials her connections will decide her role in the derby as Royal crystal has just bagged the Golconda derby to be piloted by  S zervan will be the filly to watch.

20   Well connected    4 y b f   trainer S Padmanabhan

Arazan (IRE)- Guest connections      Jockey David Allan

Another classic filly from the stables of master of classic winners S Padmanabhan who is known to prepare classic winners.Till date this classic filly has ran 6 races and is winner of 4 races. She started her carrer in banglore and emerged as  winner by 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Star and Garter, she emerged as a winner in The Fillies Championship stakes GR 1, she finished ahead of classic colt Impaid by verdict of lnk in The Kingfisher ultra Derby Banglore GR 1, she finished 4th in Deccan Derby GR 1 the reasons may be due to the postponed derby, she recently finished 3rd to Anjeze in the Banglore 1000 G GR 2.Her dam Guest connections finished 4th in The Banglore st leger GR 2 Well connected recently finished 2nd to Juliette in The Indian Oaks (Gr.1). Her trainer is known to prepare classic horses well connected is a failed favouraite whenever  backed, but we have to see is there some smoke left in the fire still, she has been working good in her morning trials and to be piloted by David Allan should be given another chance to prove herself Facts of Indian derby. There have been Indian Derby winners Like Canny Scot and Balchand who started their racing carreer in Calcutta. There have been Indian Derby winners like Fair Haven, Topmost, Physic Flame, In The Spotlight, Desert God, Hall of Famer who came to Mahalaxmi after winning the Calcutta Derby, However till date there is not a single Indian Derby winner trained by Calcutta based trainer so far. Jacqueline and Be Safe are the only favourites to win. 

19 fillies have won Indian Derby but none of them has produced a winner of this race. 9 of them have recorded  oaks and Derby double.

Trainer P shroffs Indian Derby record isn’t as glittering as the Indian Oaks but there is one fact that many not be readily known to everyone.In last 10 years he has had one of his wards finishing in a paying place in each of those 10 runnings except in 2019 sacred roman ran 4th to Star Superior

The man who has led in most winners of the Indian Derby is Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy having done so on different occasions.His first runner was Cupid in Commanaches race of 1976 he finished 4th but he still holds the record to run 4 winter derbies. Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy was only part owner in Exhiliration (1989) and the horse did not run in his colours. Amazing Bay who carried the gold and brown colour in 1996 must have been pleased him. The filly was favourite as were Star supreme 1998, smart chieftain 2000, Southern Regent 2005 Diabolical 2007, Be Safe 2015.