Brahmaputra Bags the North India Derby
By Parjanya

Delhi. Jan 23, 2008


Mercury touching down 2 degree Celsius - five degree below the normal temperature recorded in the last five years, and cold wave blowing from the northern-western part piercing through the bones couldn’t dampen the spirit. The horses ran with great zest in spite of the fact that many imported horses were seen feeling weathered on the occasion of the last blue riband race of the season - the North India Derby (grade three) on Tuesday.

The day turned out to be memorable for the quartet of Gautam Thapar, Sultan Singh, Trainer Aleem Khan and Jockey Rajinder. Sitting behind the stablemate She's Sexy, the son of Conquering Hero and Hounds of Love, Brahmaputra found the pace suitable and did not allow the former to lead in the final 400 m. The main challenger from Bangalore, Our Little Savage found it difficult and could only improve his position by a place to get the runner-up berth measuring She's Sexy by a length.

"There was not doubt about his potential and I have a good account of him," Sultan Singh, partner of Brahmaputra, told me. "The credit goes to none other than jockey Rajinder and trainer Aleem Khan who made the long overdue dream come true," he said. "I have plans to send him to Malakpet race course to participate in the Sprinter Cup at the Invitation weekend in Hyderabad and we are quite hopeful that he will definitely do well over there," he added further.

"He never let me down at any stage and I really admire my owners for having so much confidence into me as without their support I would not be able to stand in the row of classic," Aleem Khan, the trainer who completed a classic treble, said. "It’s really the pace which made all the difference, though I was quite sure about the victory and he did exactly the same sent for," Rajinder said. Incidentally, it was the second success for Rajinder after winning the super title with the help of Brave Punto (late Remember The Time) in the 90's.


Our Little Savage, who broke out hesitantly, got into the rhythm when the wire was just few yards ahead of Brahmputra. Undoubtedly it was the slow pace which made the grey (OLS) a scapegoat. She's Sexy should taste victory soon.

Shah Nawab-trained Nawab Sahib began the show of eight races making every post a winning one under the guidance of apprentice jockey Arun Kumar. Inner Voice's late attempt enabled him to bag the second place. Feraligator, who finished close fourth, should be noted. Rainbow Shine saw the winning post in an impressive manner which may entitle her for the second win soon. Trusted Friend was clearly unlucky, as the bit broke at the top of the curve and dislodged the jockey after drifting out in the Rainbow Shine' Best Wishes Plate (Div. II). City Swinger got a third place with an eye-catching performance. Miracle maker and Naunihal should be noted.

El Dorado and Pixie Lass from the stable of A Khan shared the top spot respectively and surprisingly in a start-to-finish attempt in the lower and senior division of the GD Mahajan Memorial Cup. The duo has capability to repeat. Following the suit of the winning pair, She's Superb also proved to be too good in the youngsters' RP Vohra Memorial Cup. She should complete an encore provided for. The Rock, who was hanging in badly, could not find better place than the second. He should make amends.

Intricate registered a glorious victory in the Republic Cup (Div. I). She should be followed till beaten. Spade of Ace failed to live up to the expectations by handing over the runner-up slot to Grace, who has shown great improvements. Hero's Power, running after a long lay off, raced to the winning block in the lower division of the Republic cup.

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