SPRINT STAR for The Kingfisher Derby Bangalore (Grade I)

Hi Folks,

The Kingfisher Derby Bangalore (Grade I)is a wide open race. In the absence of any outstanding performing horse, none has emerged as a piping hot favourite like we see many a times. To my knowledge most of the time an upset has taken place over the years in the plum event of the season. It has an amazing line up of 18 thoroughbreds with two omitted out due to the terms of the race and in all probability all 18 will come under the starter's flag for the richest Derby stakes ever, with at least five of the field running with a good chance. Remember that owners of Sprint Star have paid a whopping late fee of Rs 9.6 lakhs on recommendations from the trainer S. Narredu. Now every one are under the impression that since M.Narredu has opted to ride Jacqueline trained by P.Shroff and the winner of Fillies Trial Stakes with a measure of comfort, winning from way behind the field, Sprint Star is less inferior to the field. It is not that. M.Narredu is a retain jockey first for K.N.Dhunjibhoy and hence is unable to ride is brother's mount. Sprint Star won the Colts Trial Stakes in examplary fashion when from 300m it just sailed away easily in a better timing than the Fillies Trial Stakes. Track work is also satisfactory and according to me after paying late fee I am sure S.Narredu being ex-jockey must have seen the reserve in the tanks of Sprint Star whilst winning the Colts Trial Stakes. Another horse Aboline a well built colt winning four straight races, was over hauled by Sprint Star with ease. Some reports say that Aboline was under cloud and was not raced according to its customary start to finish style. Polish Patriot though having heavy bandage legs still managed to record an encore over nine furlongs in splendid manner and thereby exhibited speed and stamina in abundance. Also whatever edge it gained by being the only horse to have travelled and won 1800m it lacks in class. To me it is at least a class inferior to Jacqueline, Gypsy Magic, Sprint Star and Aboline. Conclusion is that Sprint Star may prevail over Jacqueline followed by either Gypsy Magic or Aboline. My rest of the speed ratings for the day are as follows:

Race No. 1:

Vivacity 554
Pelikano 540
Saptashwa 523

Race No. 2:

Agility 589
Glory To Dancer 569
Kalyan 565
Nearco Dancer 560

Race No. 3;

Alacrity 614
Milagro 602
Edmondo 575
Chintz 570
Undue 565

Race No. 4:

Glitterato 611
African Sky
Mr. President 589
Trillion Win 584

Race No. 5:

Clouseau 556
Win Pretty Baby 548
Caspian Sea 539
Henry's Secret 535

Race No. 6:

Sprint Star 593
Jacqueline 579
Gypsy Magic 576
Aboline 573
Polish Patriot 573
Classerville 551
Mystic Quest 543
Captivating 541

Race No. 7:

Needofthehour 645
Bourbon Bay 640
Oban 639
Lock and Load 631

Race No. 8:

SPARK OF GOLD 593
Star Wave 583
Aristos 583
Equidae 578

Race No. 9:

Table Mountain 595
Paint Me Red 548
A Run To Remember 581
Media Man 571

Day's Best : SPARK OF GOLD

Good Double : Spark Of Gold and Table Mountain

Good luck to all,

Thanking you,

Jimmy