My calls to Cooji Katrak are not going through. I can understand he is receiving a large number of congratulatory calls. I have been trying every 15 minutes since 6 PM Sunday Bangalore time.

I was unable to speak to Richard Hughes before he left for London. My hope was that I could speak to both Katrak and jockey Hughes for a minute or two after the Kingfisher Derby. I will have to wait. I am in Toronto and it is 12 30 PM on Sunday as I type this.

Sharan Kumar deserves the gratitude of the fans. He chose Moonlight Romance with strong conviction. He gave us solid reasons. I salute Sharan and my respect for him has reached a new high.

The replay of the Kingfisher Derby tells you an important story. Moonlight Romance was extraordinarily keen leaving and Hughes, the smart rider he is, had the touch to coax the filly. She was able to relax and stay in range. Turning for home, once Moonlight Romance struck the front, there was no doubting the result. The rider gets a lot of credit but let us applaud the filly`s big heart and her willingness to respond to her pilot`s call.

China Visit is beginning to deliver. However, Katrak`s assertion that there is staying blood on the dam`s side cannot be more correct. Based on what we saw in the Kingfisher Derby, I am convinced that Moonlight Romance will have no difficulty getting 2400 metres. Any comparison to Jacqueline will be premature. Beating the boys and doing it decisively is a remarkable deal for a filly.

Please do not take anything away from Sun Kingdom. With their two horses racing one-two as the line loomed large, the Wadhwan clan`s heart must have been on overdrive. Suraj Narredu wanted Sun Kingdom held up and produced the colt with enough time left. It may have appeared that Sun Kingdom was gaining on Moonlight Romance but I believe that Hughes had the race wrapped up 400 metres out. I am not getting into the argument what a subsequent clash will bring and we will worry about crossing the bridge when we get to the bridge.

I read Suraj Narredu`s story in the Bangalore Mirror. Suraj is an ambitious, talented professional and his turn to win major races is coming soon.

Sharan Kumar emphasized the fact that Richard Hughes came to Bangalore in cracking form. Hughes has won the Irish 2000, the St James`s Palace and the Falmouth, all Group I races this year. He is in contention for the rider`s title. With Paco Boy, he lost narrowly to Goldikova in the Queen Anne. His late charge on Youmzain fell short by a head in the Grand Prix Saint Cloud. After taking Thursday off because of a ban, jockey Hughes won the Group II Superlative Stakes with the Richard Hannon-trained King Torus on Friday at Newmarket. He went to Newbury for the twilight card. He clicked with Date With Destiny in the 6 20 race for maiden fillies. His last ride on Friday before leaving for India late Saturday (he was not in action on Saturday) was a winning one. Hughes won the 9 00 PM race with Our Drama Queen, another Hannon pupil who was the 6-4 favorite. Yes, Hughes was red hot arriving in Bangalore. His three-bagger culminating in the Kingfisher Derby was evidence that Richard Hughes continued to be hot.

Consider the Wadhwan-Tharani plight. They are now double-handed for the major Classics that lie ahead. There may be others lurking but the picture has to change dramatically. The best girl is with Cooji Katrak. The best boy is with Irfan Ghatala. With Hughes riding for the Wadhwan group, the fireworks should go on.

The ‘girl dominance` theory has gained more validity. Rachel Alexandra, Zarkava, Zenyatta, Jacqueline and Sariska have done well against the boys. Now, it is Moonlight Romance`s turn. Zenyata remains unbeaten. Rachel Alexandra, after two losses this year, has rebounded. There is a lot to look forward to.

There is news from Europe. There is a lot of graded action in the US at week`s end. All that and more in my next blog.