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MUMBAI: The McDowell Indian derby will be live on Ten Sports this
Sunday the 4th of February. This race, is traditionally run on the
first Sunday of February each year and is run over the classic middle
distance of a mile and a half. The Derby Weekend 2007 will feature
an extravaganza of horse racing over the weekend, climaxing with
the blue ribbon race – The McDowell Indian Derby. The McDowell
Indian Derby 2007 will offer the richest prize purse ever of Rs
10 million rupees with over six million rupees.
The leading contenders include the unbeaten colt, Southern Empire.
Southern Empire:
This horse out of Placerville X Stunning has the makings of a Racing
icon for years to come. He has been unbeaten in his ten starts to
date including the Colts Trial Stakes, The Bangalore Kingfisher
Derby, and The Indian 2000 guineas in Mumbai. Southern Empire now
tackles the Indian Derby to extend his winning streak to 11 races.
Horse racing of course is never one for certainties but Southern
Empire should prevail against modest opposition. Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy's
gelding looks set to become one of the all time greats in the annals
of Indian Racing.
Blue Ribbon:
This is a very lightly raced filly by Alnasr Alwasheek out of Endorsement.
With just four starts to her credit, Blue Ribbon won the Indian
Oaks over distance of a mile and a half and one can only think she
will improve and come on from that run. After overcoming minor set
backs in her early training Blue Ribbon seems to have come right
under the gentle handling from her trainer Pesi Shroff. Blue Ribbon
has gone over the mile and a half distance when she won the Oaks.
If for some reason Southern Empire is found wanting during the Derby
then this game filly Blue Ribbon should be right there at the finish.
The last time a filly did the coveted double Of the Indian Oaks
and Derby was Starfire Girl ridden by no other than Blue Ribbon's
trainer Pesi Shroff.
Diabolical:
This 4year old gelding by Major Impact out of Double Quick mare
is one of racings enigmas. Having never gone over a distance of
a mile Diabolical came to Hyderabad for the Golconda Derby and surprised
most race goers by staying every bit of the grueling mile and a
half and winning the race by a comfortable margin. Immediately after
winning the Hyderabad Derby a decision was made by his owner Dr.
M. A. M. Ramaswamy to send Diabolical for the Indian Derby to Mumbai.
He was put in a horse trailer and packed off to Mumbai the same
evening after winning the Hyderabad Derby. Whether Diabolical can
take the travel and the change in underfoot conditions of the Mumbai
track we shall have to find out in due course. Until then Diabolical
will remain an enigma as a race.
Live coverage begins at 3 pm Indian Standard time this Sunday the
4th of February.
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