Prakash Gosavi gosavi@ mid- day. com In the end, what was hyped as the greatest contest turned out to be a no contest.
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Jockey Suraj Narredu, is having the greatest season of his career. Suraj had notched up 2,000th career win a month ago, The Derby crowd gave a standing ovation to the equine and human superstars here.
Consigliori threw in the towel approaching the 400m marker as Roche astride Wizard of Stocks assumed command, with Royal Crystal running at his best speed to stay in the same place. Just then, Suraj smoothly switched War Hammer to the outside, and after a brief fight, overpowered Wizard Of Stocks, and sailed away for a comfortable victory of over seven lengths over Trouvaille ( N Mackay up), who finished well to take up the runner up berth, ahead of Wizard Of Stocks who just about held on from a fastfinishing Juliette.
He waited in the weighing room for his son to alight from War Hammer, lifted him like a baby and kissed him on his cheeks. u201c I am in seventh heaven. He [ Suraj] has done everything that a father can hope for and be proud of,u201d he told mid- day with tears of joy.
War Hammer maintained his unbeaten status, adding his eighth straight success from as many starts. He silenced doubters, who openly expressed surprise when his trainer shouted from the rooftops that he was bringing in a horse who would prove too good for his rivals.
Dominant display War Hammeru2019s victory was astounding for another reason.
No horse in Indian Derby history had ever treated such a large field, comprising eight regional Derby winners, with such contempt, and with such a margin ( over seven lengths).
The unbeaten colt took home R 1,09,29,500 in prize money.
The Air Support- Soviet Lake four- year- old colt was bred at Kunigal stud farm. u201c After the Invitation Cup next month, this horse deserves to race abroad and make the country proud,u201d Dr Dinesh of the Kunigal stud farm said.
The winning quartet Owners of War Hammer, a quartet of friendsu2014 Dr CA Prashanth, Gautam Basapa, B S Manjunath and P Apana Subaiyau2014 were a happy bunch. u201c We all sat together last Sunday night after War Hammer won the Bangalore Derby, thought a lot, and then decided to travel to Mahalaxmi,u201d they said.
War Hammer justified their decision and how! War Hammers them Bangalore- based colt blows away opposition to win Indian Derby in style Jockey Sandesh rides 1000th winner Matheran boy A Sandesh rode his 1000th winner at Mahalaxmi on Sunday, astride Flying Visit, who won a thrilling battle with P Trevor astride favourite Cosmic Ray. In a quick felicitation ceremony arranged by the race club to celebrate the ace jockeyu2019s landmark, Sandesh thanked trainer Rehanullah Khan, who took him under his care and had saddled Pepe Junior, Sandeshu2019s first winner.
u2014 PG Jockey Suraj Narredu guides War Hammer across the winning post in the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby at Mahalaxmi on Sunday. PIC/ SHADAB KHAN For the latest sports news, log on to www. mid- day. com
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