Historically, the North India Derby, without a dedicated window in the racing calendar, gained greater attention this time. Previously overshadowed by clashes with other race days, the event finally stood alone, granting the Derby the spotlight it had long been denied. Suraj Narredu, the guiding force behind the flourishing Narredu legacy, once again showcased his prowess in the saddle. Riding his brother Rajesh Narredu trained Ashwa Kanchenjunga, he secured a narrow victory in the Gr 3 Global Stud Mahender North India Derby, outmanoeuvring Bangalore challenger Aralina, who found the winning post arriving just a tad too early for her liking.

Notably, the triumphant horse, Ashwa Kanchenjunga, was bred at Pesi Shroff`s Chester Stud Farm in Pune. Sired by Admiralty out of Viola, Ashwa Kanchenjunga stands out among the progeny, being a two-time winner of prestigious races in Delhi. Despite Admiralty`s racing career being cut short by an injury years ago, Pesi Shroff`s confidence in the horse as a stallion was evident, as he used Admiralty for breeding with no hesitation.

The tactical brilliance of Suraj Narredu, coupled with the extended trip of a mile, propelled Ashwa Kanchenjunga to victory. The filly had clinched the North India 1000 Guineas earlier and finished second in the 2000 Guineas behind Vivaldo.

Trained by Prasanna Kumar, Vivaldo entered the race as the favourite, defeating many prominent competitors. Aralina, the daughter of Speaking of Which, with two wins to her credit and a second in the South India Guineas, was the next in demand. Ashwa Kanchenjunga, quoted at liberal odds, surprised the field. Contestants from Mumbai, Hyderabad and Mysore added diversity to the competition.

Suraj Narredu boldly took the lead with Ashwa Kanchenjunga, distancing the filly from the rest of the field. Vivaldo, taking off from the wide outside draw, struggled to manoeuvre into a forward position. The advantage of the fast-paced Delhi track favoured the front-runner, allowing Ashwa Kanchenjunga to secure a narrow victory without overtaxing.

As the final furlong approached, Kanchenjunga maintained a lead, while Aralina, urged on by jockey Anthony Raj, closed in. Vivaldo, the favoured contender, faded, failing to accelerate as anticipated. Kanchenjunga seemed vulnerable near the winning post, but the filly demonstrated enough resolution to secure victory by a mere neck. Mystic Bond from Mysore, trained by Pratap Kamath, finished closely behind Aralina, with Vivaldo settling for a well-beaten fourth place ahead of Perfect Blend.