Alaindair looks good in 'open' Derby

BANGALORE: No trainer is confident; no jockey is positive; no owner is certain and every punter is wary. That's exactly is the scene on the eve of the Kingfisher Derby and the railbirds are just loving it. No definite pointer, no clear favourite and, most importantly, no game changer. It could well be a one 'Joker' in the pack or a 'Dark Knight'.
Before the start of the season, most old hats in the game and the many selfproclaimed pundits were of the view that Starry Eyes will dominate the classic scene.But before the final throw of the dice, it appears that the trusted hats have gone out of fashion and the pundits are on the run and that's simply because a dozen top colts and six best fillies are in the fray with stars in their eyes.
The moment the Poonawalla Multi-Million form went out of the window, Starry Eyes and Murioi suffering big defeats in the first two classics, the second richest race in the Indian racing calendar became wide open.
Despite the fact that the two Mumbai main hopes – Colts and Fillies winners Amelia and Alaindair – produced sterling efforts without a run under their belt on the exacting course, questions are still being asked and they now need to do it all over again to attain the champion status. Well, the two have the ability and so do the rest.
Ask Cooji Katrak and he will tell you that Starry Eyes deserves another chance. The reason he gives is that she was not fully fit in the Fillies classic. On his part, Ganapathy categorically dismissed Murioi's dismal effort saying it was one bad day at the office. He could be true but the fact remains that Alaindair donkey-licked all the colts and Amelia emerged the best of her sex and age in convincing fashion.
Well, if the book of form holds good it will be Alaindair. And if the Mumbai hopeful wins, it certainly will provide the sport a multi-dimension as small trainer Altamash, new owner Devilaliwalla and upcoming jockey Sandesh – who won from his first Derby ride on Borsalino here last year – will be standing tall at the winners' podium.
First race starts at 12.45 pm.