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Alaindair sits atop Invitation pecking order

By: Tom Krish   February 10 , 2014
   

Based on the result of the Indian 2000 Guineas, Alaindair had to find three and one half lengths on Murioi when they met in the McDowell Derby. Murioi`s superiority was established in resounding terms. In the Derby, Murioi carried the public purse and Alaindair was a 15/1 chance. The Altamash Ahmed-trained Alaindair finished three lengths ahead of Murioi. In Murioi`s case, there were, in the opinion of many a fan, extenuating circumstances. The Dubawi colt lost his left hind shoe as the race was run.


Dr Nevill Devlaliwala (left) leading in Alaindair, winner of the Indian Derby.


The Invitation Cup is three weeks away and Hyderabad plays host this year. Dr Nevill Devlaliwala, part owner confirmed, “Alaindair came out of the Indian Derby in great shape and is going to Hyderabad. I want to send An Acquire Taste to Hyderabad too subject to our being invited.”

Dr Devlaliwala explained why the jockey switch was made from Sandesh to Srinath. “Ameeta Mehra was upset with the way Sandesh rode our gelding in the 2000 Guineas. I suggested Srinath. I felt that Srinath`s experience would help us. Srinath, I have always believed, is a good judge of pace and that would help our cause.”

Jockey Srinath who at 38 won the most significant race of his career will continue the partnership with Alaindair. Srinath is known as a strong rider and gets the best out of his horses in close finishes. The Derby ride on Alaindair squarely puts Srinath in the cerebral category and that is another point that Dr Devlaliwala makes.

“No instructions were given to Srinath. We let him ride Alaindair in a mock race on January 16 to get the feel of and understand the horse. We wanted Srinath to decide (himself) how he would like to ride in the Derby. Alaindair is so versatile. He can race up with the pace or off it. You cannot plan for such big races as you don`t know how they pan out or what pace they are run at,” Dr Devlaliwala said.

As it turned out, Srinath was glued to the fence in the Derby. After having saved ground for as long as he could, when Alaindair was shown daylight by Srinath, the response was akin to a cheetah going after his prey. The rest is history. The Invitation Cup will be a different game. Beginning in 2013, India`s most prestigious race is open to horses four years old and up. However, one thing is certain. Srinath`s presence in the saddle will be a mark of reassurance to Alaindair`s connections.

Multidimensional is performing miracles as a sire in India. The ‘Classic bag` is full and overflowing. A 2003 foal, Multidimensional won five times from 14 outings. He won the Group II Prix Guillame D`Ornono at Deauville (outside Paris) in August 2006. Christophe Lemaire was the rider.

I saw two of Multidimensional`s runs. In June 2008, he was ninth of 11 horses in the Coronation Cup (Epsom Downs on Oaks Day) won by Soldier of Fortune. Two weeks later, in the 2400-metre Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, Multidimensional came within a neck of beating MacArthur, an Aidan O`Brien trainee. Maraheel, winner of the Hardwicke in 2006 and 2007, salvaged third.

Sir Henry Cecil trained Multidimensonal for the Niarchos family. Cecil is an English training legend. Frankel, trained by Sir Cecil, retired with a 14 for 14 record in October 2012. I was at Ascot in October 2011 and again in October 2012 to see Frankel race. The Niarchos family, shipping magnates, was a big name in European racing.

Mutildimensional is by Danehill. Danzig is Danehill`s sire. Danzig is the son of Northern Dancer, the 1964 Kentucky Derby winner.

God`s Grace, Alaindair`s dam, did not race. She is a daughter of Razeen and out of Regal Star. Razeen is a son of Nothern Dancer and needs no introduction to Indian racing enthusiasts. Regal Star has produced winners on Indian soil.

Altamash Ahmed, a disciple of Rashid Byramji, is a credit to his profession. It was only last year that Altamash made waves with An Acquired Taste. Hardly a year later, a win in the Indian Derby has become the crowning achievement in Altamash`s resume.

There may have been a hard lucky story or two in the Indian Derby but nothing detracts from the merit of Alaindair`s success. As impressive as the Derby win was, the Invitation Cup will demand more of Alaindair. It is another horse race but there is no doubt that Alaindair will be at the top of a shortlist.


 
 
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