Jockey A Sandesh produced a strategic masterclass astride overwhelming favourite Bold Majesty to cap a memorable hat-trick for both in the Legacy Bangalore Derby here on Republic Day.
Employing his famed trainer S Ganapathy’s pre-race advice to the hilt, Mumbai-based Sandesh piloted Bold Majesty in the 2400-metre long blue riband event in composed fashion to run away with the winner’s cheque of Rs 76.68 lakh at a well attended event at the Bangalore Turf Club.
Suraj Narredu, fresh from his victory in the Golconda Derby Stakes just 24 hours earlier, anchored Authentic to second place by bringing all his experience to the fore while Athens (Colm O’Donoghue atsride) finished third and Azzurro (P Trevor up) fourth.
Given the 12-furlong distance and with a clutch of them possessing the potential to land the jackpot, the race had the trappings of a classic. Moment the gates were opened, S Padmanabhan ward Torch Bearer, piloted by David Allan, chose to set the pace.
The four-year-old geld kept maintaining his pole position until the third turn with Authentic and Speed Hawk (A Imran K astride) keeping him company in second and third places respectively.
All the while, Sandesh kept a tight hook on Bold Majesty, controlling the four-year-old geld’s pace nicely and staying within the bunch so that he didn’t have to do too much towards the end.
Taking early command in long races carries with it the risk of burning up all the energy too soon and Allan seemed to have not realised that fact. Allan, who finished third in the Calcutta Derby Stakes over 2400 metres with Torch Bearer after having led for most part, started to lose the plot here too around the penultimate bend.
Authentic began to kick some pace and emerged in lead after the final bend with Athens and Azzurro just touching distance behind. That’s when Sandesh began to unleash Bold Majesty in destructive fashion.
Having piloted him to two straight classic victories in the last four months -- the Mysore Derby in October and Bangalore 2000 Guineas last month -- Sandesh began to catch up with Authentic with around 300 metres to go.
Authentic and Bold Majesty then broke away from the field and with around 150 metres left, an edge-of-the seat battle ensued. Having also done the early running, Authentic began to lose steam while Bold Majesty hit the front with 100 metres from finish.
From thereon there was no stopping Bold Majesty as he galloped home, a length ahead of Authentic with a timing of 2:31.04.
“We always come from behind,” said the 62-year-old S Ganapathy after scoring his 92nd classic victory. “I always believed in Bold Majesty and Sandesh and am happy to be standing victorious. I just told him to stick to a straight line and not cut from the inside. Sandesh just followed the strategy and never panicked. Kudos to him.”
“I knew if I stayed with the pack, I always had a chance. I’ve ridden to victory in the Mysore Derby and Bangalore Guineas and knew very well how to handle him. To live up to the favourite tag is brilliant,” said a delighted Sandesh after scoring his third Derby win at the Banaglore Turf Club with the previous two coming in the Summer -- in 2012 and 2013.
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