Bangalore |  Mysore |  Mumbai |  Pune |  Hyderabad |  Kolkata |  Delhi  
Indian Classics |  Profiles  |  Fixtures |  Video |  Archives |  Public Pulse |  In & Around |  Specials |  International |  Home  
Loading....
in   
 
News    Send comment   Send E-mail   Print the page

Murioi bids to become best horse in country

  January 30 , 2014
   

The mega event of the Indian racing calendar, the Gr 1 McDowell Indian Derby has generated unprecedented excitement thanks to the buildup. It is the dream of every race horse owner to win this prestigious event which is marked by glamour and glitz. The thrill of leading in the winner and escorting it right up to the unsaddling enclosure to the roar and appreciation of the multitude present at the race course is a heady experience, perhaps unmatched by any other racing event.


C D Hayes



This year the stakes have reached astronomical proportions with a total of over Rs 3 crores on offer. More than the money that the winner gets, winning is everything. The success is the culmination of year long training and focused targeting on the part of the owners, professionals and everyone associated with the horse. The Sunday`s event will see Bangalore challenger Murioi going into the race as a favourite and it remains to be seen whether the horse, the trainer and the jockey would be able to cope with attendant pressure and sea of expectations. The starting gates are placed right in front of the Grand Stand and as the start is given, the roar of the crowd reaches a crescendo and it could be unnerving for those already under pressure.

Ganapathy trained Murioi has been outstanding going into this race. He has thus far remained unbeaten on the Mahalaxmi track which he seems to revel on. The classy son of Dubawi has strengthened very well and looks a very mature horse. He won his lead up to this race, the Ramnarain Ramniwas Ruia Trophy in near record timing despite having to race against himself. His preparation has been smooth and without hiccups. Jockey Chris Hayes will be guiding his fortunes and he will have to switch himself off from all the pressure and ride a confident race without getting into trouble en route. The horse will do the rest for him. Murioi is perhaps the highest rated horse ever to take part in the Indian Derby if ones memory serves right. Murioi has already achieved the rating that a horse would reach after winning the Indian Derby. If Murioi goes on to win the Derby, it would be three in a row for Bangalore horses as last year Super Storm bagged this event and in the year before that wonder filly In The Spotlight had smashed the opposition.

Ganapathy has another formidable runner in Southern Emperor. Though Southern Emperor failed to win the Golconda Derby being affected by the mess that the jockey got in, there is no doubt this Mysore Derby winner is immensely talented. The progeny of Placerville, Southern Emperor can do his sire a great honour if he could produce his best on the big day. Placerville who was an outstanding sire, died three years ago and as such Southern Emperor has a great chance of paying his sire a great tribute by providing his sire the second success in this event. Smart Chieftain is the only son of Placerville to have won this race though many of his progeny were unlucky not to have won this event. There is no doubt that he has the merit. Jockey Sreekanth who lost out his ride on Murioi to Chris Hayes possibly due to the connections feeling that he may not be able to cope with the pressures of riding an Indian Derby favorite has a good chance of causing an upset.

Altamash Ahmed trained Alaindair appears to be the best among the Mumbai brigade though dual Derby winner Jeremiah may enjoy this position in everyone`s perception. Alaindair won the Colts Championship and Kingfisher Derby at Bangalore during the summer season and this form has often translated into success in the Indian Derby. Littleover, Smart Chieftain, Star Supreme and Moonlight Romance are the ones who have achieved this feat in recent times. Alaindair ran behind the too good Murioi in the Indian 2000 Guineas though he had beaten the latter at Bangalore. Alaindair had a useful mock race as a lead up to this event and there is no doubt that notwithstanding public perception, he still is the best that local challenge has on offer.

Trainer Pesi Shroff is pitching in several runners in the hope that one of them may hit the bull`s eye. Jeremiah has done everything right having won over mile and quarter trip impressively. What enhances his credentials is the fact that the horses whom he beat have all been subsequent winners against seasoned opposition. Jeremiah has been systematically prepared with this event in view and he goes into the race in pink of condition. He running style suggests that he would be home over the extended trip of mile and half. What is important is the fact that he settles well and can be ridden up with the pace or from the back. Whether he has the class to beat horses of the caliber of Murioi and Alaindair remains to be seen. Thus far the horses he beat in Pune Derby haven`t won any race. Silver Arrow is not in the lineup because he once again played up at the gates on Wednesday and did not get the starting stall certificate.

Padmanabhan trained Isn`t She Special won the Indian Oaks against the run of expectations. This light framed filly surely enjoys the 2400 metres and she has proved her worth over this grueling trip. As such, she is a contender with an outside chance. However, she has a hard task on hand as she is racing within a fortnight of winning the Oaks.

Bangalore Derby winner Agostini has been rushed to Mumbai to race as a final entry. He no doubt won the Derby well but then the race was run at such a slow pace that it was not a truly run mile and half race. Since Agostini earned his ticket to race here, there is no harm in being ambitious because quite often such moves have paid off. But then Agostini winning here would be in the realm of a rare happening. Irfan Ghatala trained Ace Bucephalus has shown remarkable improvement after being gelded and he has had two lead up races for the Derby. He is expected to hot things up.

Pesi Shroff`s Circle of Life has won only one race in her career but finished second best in three classics thus far. There were many who believed that jockey Richard Hughes left himself too much to do in the Oaks by allowing the eventual winner too much of a leeway. But then when a horse lacks winning habit, the horse falling short is not entirely unexpected.

All said and done, Murioi should be able to put across Southern Emperor, Alaindair, Jeremiah and the rest to land the coveted mother of all Derbys.

 
 
  Post your comments   E-mail   Print
Total Comments : 1
Posted by pavan on ( January 30 , 2014 )
Murioi good breed derby winner
 
Top
   
'


Live Results - Delhi, March 28 2024
 
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Reviews and Analysis depict the personal perspective of the authors only. The website does not subscribe to or endorse any of the same and is not responsible for adverse consequences. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, we are not responsible for any discrepancies that are beyond our control.
© 2008 Racing Pulse. All Rights Reserved. A Racingpulse Holdings Venture