I have spoken to some of the major players in the Kingfisher Derby this Sunday in Bangalore. The low numerical value of the field does not do justice to the quality of the runners. Sun Kingdom, from the Irfan Ghatala yard, checks in with a three for three record. A Royal Kingdom colt out of Porsche Too, Sun Kingdom will be carrying the public purse. Irfan Ghatala`s charge was a striking winner in the Bangalore Colts Trial Stakes in only the third start of his career. Suraj Narredu, the reigning champion, gets the call.

It was late afternoon on Thursday in Bangalore when I called trainer Ghatala. “I know who you are and have read your stories. Yes, Sun Kingdom made a winning debut in March in Bangalore. B Prakash was aboard. From day one, I could see I had a special one in my stable,” Ghatala began.
Our conversation turned to the Million, Sun Kingdom`s second trip post ward. “Suraj was riding that day. There was apprehension. I had found Sun Kingdom to be a somewhat ‘emotional` horse and his propensity to sweat was reason for more concern. There was a strong gallop and Suraj had chosen to come off the pace. At one point, he lacked racing room but once in the clear, Sun Kingdom showed a burst of speed that had to be seen to be believed. He won by about two lengths and beat Awarding and Sunset Boulevard, two good sophomores. It was a morale-boosting performance. Despite his excellent debut, he had not caught the eye of the fans. He was, may be, a 6-1 chance," Irfan continued.

Irfan Ghatala talked about how Sun Kingdom was prepared for a tilt at the Colts Trial Stakes. “Two weeks after the Million, I let Sun Kingdom go in a mock race. There was evidence that he was learning to relax. He was getting more mature. With rain, the track was somewhat off. Yes, a quick pace helped us in the Colts Trial. Suraj was second last turning for home. When he let Sun Kingdom loose, the response was heartening. With 200 metres to run, Sun Kingdom had struck the front. The time of 1 37.7 was excellent no matter what yardstick you use. He is not big made. He has tremendous quickening ability. The favorite that day, I would call the Colts Trial run ‘effortless` and I am completely satisfied with his training regimen. My confidence level is high. I would like him to be held up again and that is how he does his best.”

I wanted to have a word with Dan Grant before he left Dublin. He is riding The Leader, a contender from Hyderabad. I will make an attempt to speak to Shezad Abbas who trains The Leader. It was 3 30 PM Eastern time in the US when I called. Dan answered. We exchanged pleasantries.

“Do you have a minute or two to talk about the Bangalore trip, “ I asked.

“Yes, Tom, I do. I have just landed in Bangalore,” Dan said.

It was 1 AM in Bangalore on Friday. “I am excited. I will get a chance to speak to the trainer soon. I will have a much better understanding of my colt,” Grant continued.

I could see he was not in the right situation to talk. “I am doing well. I am looking forward to Sunday. I do not know if I will come to India this winter. If there is an offer, I will seriously consider it. There`s nothing on the table yet,” Grant concluded.

Dan Grant is a polite, affable guy. Whenever I visited Ireland, he would readily come out of the jockeys` quarters to greet me. He would find time for a chat and a picture or two. This year, Grant has won eight races from 76 rides for a 11% strike rate.

Cooji Katrak exudes warmth. He was extra cordial. He gives crisp answers. Moonlight Romance, a Wadhwan runner, is Katrak`s representative. Sun Kingdom also carries Wadhwan`s colors but comes from Irfan Ghatala`s yard. "Let the best horse win the Derby and let that best horse be Moonlight Romance," I commented as I started the conversation.

“Let that be true," Katrak responded. "In four runs, Moonlight Romance has won twice and been second twice. She won the well-endowed Forbes Breeders` Juvenile Fillies Championship (the margin was seven and one half lengths). In the Fillies` Trial, my filly did not get a good ride. She was cruising coming into the homestretch. The gap that the rider (Imran Chisty) was looking for did not stay open and Moonlight Romance had her momentum rudely checked. I strongly believe that the result of the Fillies` Trial would have been different if my filly had not been checked. She was moving from second gear into overdrive. She deserves to have a chance at winning the Derby and it was an easy decision."

I asked Katrak what gives him confidence that Moonlight Romance can take on the boys and beat them in Sunday`s Derby. "Let me tell you, I know how good she is. She is doing well. I have no doubts about her getting the 2000-metre trip. She`s a strong galloper. Her dam is a mile and a half winner in Class I. Richard Hughes is our retained jockey in the coming season. Hughes will be an asset in any situation and is due in Bangalore early Sunday."

Cooji Katrak is a realist. He has no hesitation in admitting that Sun Kingdom will be hard to down and as a consequence, is tempered in his enthusiasm. Moonlight Romance is by China Visit out of Wandering Star.

Arjun Mangalorkar`s Immense will be ridden by J G Sampson who became free when the Dr Mallya camp chose not to have a runner. By Gaswar out of Alto Miss, Immense is a three year-old that trainer Mangalorkar believes is yet to realize his potential.

I called Arjun.He had no difficulty recognizing me. "Immense ran into road trouble in his debut. He readily won second time out fulfilling his debut promise. I let him tackle Class III (40-65) handicap company when the summer season started. He won. Immense`s next race was in the Colts` Trial Stakes. He rallied from the rear and was second but only beaten three lengths by Sun Kingdom. Zervan was in the saddle that day. My thinking is that Immense has not been exposed fully. He will have more to offer in the Derby," Arjun said.

"Gaswar is by Shadeed. Whispering Wind is the dam of Alto Miss and was a sister of Diablo. If pedigree is any criterion, Immense should stay the Derby trip. My major concern is that the three weeks between the Colts` Trial and the Derby may not be enough for Immense to become fighting fit. That is the card I am dealt with and I have to play accordingly. I am very happy that jockey Sampson will ride. He has good credentials. He will have time to get acquainted."

I wished Arjun good luck and we talked about my trip to India in the winter.

I tried Richard Hughes several times on Thursday. He called me ( I am in the US at the moment) about 9 15 PM Thursday London time. "Please call me about 10 AM Friday London time. I will be delighted to talk to you," Hughes said. Hopefully, I will be able to speak to Hughes on Friday. He has a book of rides on Friday at New Market. He does not ride on Saturday.

Another Derby runner who is thought to be in the mix is the Prithviraj-trained Foreign Exchange. A son of Alnasr Alwasheek, Foreign Exchange made an impressive winning debut. He has failed to deliver on that promise. There are those who think that Foreign Exchange has the class and is capable of stepping up.