The Gr 1 Bangalore Winter Derby to be run on the Republic Day looks wide open though the quality of runners are par for this race. The reason why one is unable to pick any horse with conviction is because the contestants lack the aura associated with a Derby runner. Quite often the Derby field consists of horses which don`t deserve to be in the lineup but at least there would be a few which would have done well to deserve the tag of being favourites to win.

There was a move to shift the Derby to the second week of January so that participation in the race could be much better. However, the traditionalists came in the way of change though nobody knows how it would affect tradition. The Republic Day and Derby has no historic significance except the race has been held for a long time on that date. A decade ago, the Derby was brought forward because the sponsor wanted it so. By sticking to the date, the turf club has bestowed mediocrity on this race. It would have helped matters if the race is held early in January because then the horses running in the Indian Derby and the Golconda Derby would be running here first and then deciding on their options. Since the race is too close to Golconda Derby and is held just one week before the mega Indian Derby, many possible contestants skip this race. A look at the line up of Golconda Derby and Indian Derby shows how many good participants from this centre skip this event which can now be dubbed as poor man`s Derby. It is no surprise that this Derby has no sponsors and offers the lowest stake money for an event of that stature in the country.

Agostini, winner of Chief Minister`s Cup, Sur La Tete, winner of Golconda Oaks, Czar of Romance, The Ministerian, Supreme Regime and the improving Ambitious Reward could be considered as horses with chance of winning. Turf Striker who would have been a strong contender is sidelined by an injury. Agostini beat ring rusty Wind Stream in his last effort over 2000 metres but nevertheless should be a strongly backed runner. Not many progeny of Burden of Proof have done well over the mile and half trip of the Derby though there are exceptions like Arabian Dancer who went even longer.

Trainer Karthik Ganapathy has brought The Ministerian from Mumbai. Last year he was successful on Red Baron. The Ministerian has progressed well since running a forward race in the Pune Derby and had an impressive win over 2000 metres at Mumbai to his credit. He has been tracking extremely well and this progeny of Ace is a serious contender.

Padmanabhan trained Sur La Tete is the only classic winner in the fray. She won the Oaks with start to finish tactics and was not weakening while crossing the post. This temperamental filly who expends her energy by being highly strung however showed that she is not a push over by her performance in the Oaks. She has a strong mind of her own and doesn`t like to be restrained too much. If jockey David Allan can get his act together, the filly could well be justifying the whopping final entry paid to run her in this event. She has already gone over the mile and half trip and proved her mettle.

Supreme Regime is a capable horse but he has often been used as a pace maker. One is not sure whether he would be confined to that role or gets a chance to run his own race where he can be exploited to the full. He is by freshman sire Multidimensional who has already created a record with seven individual classic winners. Two of his progeny have already won the Derby over the 2400 metres and as such, if ridden in restraint and given a quality ride, Supreme Regime has the talent to land the spoils.

Lokanath`s Ambitious Reward ran third in the Bangalore Guineas. He is another progeny of Multidimensional and his style of running suggests that he could excel over longer trips. The trainer is still to win a classic in his long career but who knows Ambitious Reward could be the horse to set him on a new course. In racing you never know till you try.

Czar of Romance was pretty unlucky on a couple of occasions in the classics especially when he lost by a whisker to Southern Emperor in the Mysore 2000 Guineas. His run in Golconda Guineas is best ignored because he was running after a setback in training and went with inadequate workouts. Since then he has been putting smart piece of workouts and considering the fact that he has run in good company, his chances cannot be ruled out.

Ace Badraan is highly rated by the stable though he is winner of just one race. His trainer believes that he is a late maturing type. There is no doubt that he would relish the mile and half trip. All the equipments like blinkers and tongue strap have been removed. He will have to take a quantum jump in his performance capabilities if he has to measure up in a race of this nature.

Arrogant Approach has been running fair races and has been ambitiously campaigned. The mile and half trip will suit him fine and he is the one for those looking for a big upset. Argiano who has come from Kolkata is another in this category.