13 December,2010 09:11 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
"I have won two Derbies here, but that was long, long ago," said trainer Jaggi Dhariwal smiling from ear to ear, "at this age, this Classic victory makes me feel revitalised." He was speaking after his ward, Siachen, won the Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr 1) at the Malalaxmi racetrack yesterday.
Dhariwal, a former jockey who later became trainer, was referring to his two Indian Derby winners fourteen years apartu00a0 ufffd Chaitanya Chakram in 1987 and Storm Again in 2001. He yesterday picked up his third Indian Classic when Chris Hayes drove Siachen to a one-length victory over favourite Moonlight Romance (Suraj Narredu up). Interestingly, Dhariwal hadu00a0 matter-of-factly told MiD DAY on Friday, that he was quite confident Siachen would win the 1000 Guineas.
Equally happy was Zeyn Mirza, liquor baron Vijay Mallya's racing manager, who also happens to be managing director of the United Racing Bloodstock & Breeding Ltd, the UB Group's racing division. "I am more happy because Siachen is home-bred for us," he said, "she is bred at Dr Mallya's Kunigal stud farm."
As starter flagged off the ten runners for the first Classic of the season, Sun Elegance (A Merchant up) set the pace while her stable-mate Moonlight Romance (Suraj Narredu up) chose to race in mid-bunch. Chris Hayes astride Siachen stalked Moonlight Romance, while Blackjack (SA DeSousa up) brought up the rear. On straightening up for home, Suraj Narredu astride the favourite, found an opening along the inner rails through which he forced his way to take the lead, but was soon challenged first by Eloise and then Siachen whom Hayes set alight in top gear, and managed to overpower all in the last 50 meters to post a decisive win.
Sunday's ten-race card was dominated by apprentice rider A Sandesh, who rode a grand quadruple. His winners were Gerrad (Venus Di Milo Trophy), Amore Mio (M N Nazir Trophy), Pepe Junior (Jacqueline Trophy) and Dancing Glances, who won the upper division of the Uttam Singh Trophy.
The Matheran lad, who has been piling up wins after wins, seems destined for greater glories if he can keep himself focused. Trainer Pesi Shroff shone in the trainers' department as he led in three winners ufffd Amore Mio, Amadeus and Violetta.
