Hotstepper, who was available at 10:1 odds, edged past Sweeping Success to win the main event of the Indian horse racing season at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday.
The colt from SS Shah’s stable mops up Sweeping Success in the 400-metre home stretch run
MUMBAI: It was yet another year of an upset win at the McDowell Indian Derby. Hotstepper, who was available at 10:1 odds, edged past Sweeping Success to win the main event of the Indian horse racing season at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday.
Having finished second to Bourbon King in the last outing for the Ruia Gold Trophy, the dress rehearsal for the Derby, and also the 2000 Guineas, Hotstepper emerged triumphant in his third attempt while the champion gelding and favourite Bourbon King finished a poor fourth.
Being rated a slow starter, Hotstepper was placed 9th when the gates opened and maintained the position until the 1,000 meter marker. It was here that the colt gained ground and slowly improved on his placing as he moved to the outer side when the field of 19 runners headed towards the home stretch.
With Sweeping Success to the rails, Hostepper was hot on his heels.
With only 400 meters to go for the home stretch, Hotstepper conceded his margin a bit to Sweeping Success but still reached home by a neck ahead, while Bourbon King, available at 12:10 came up behind Noble Prince to finish fourth.
Hotstepper, made an impressive debut last year in Bangalore and was consistent in all the eight assignments in Western India making it to the board on all counts.
There were nearly 25,000 spectators in comparison to last year’s 23,000 and the total collection was much higher than last year. “This year the collections reached Rs 279 lakh surpassing last year’s record of Rs 236 lakh,” said Vivek Jain from RWITC.
Results:
1. The Isle Of Jura Cup (1200m): 1. Needforspeed, 2. The Rebel, 3. Latest News
2. Bouvet - Ladubay Championship (1600m): 1. Personified, 2. Chardin, 3.; Fantastic Fury
3. The Whyte & Mackay Challenge (2400m): 1. Urban Warrior, 2. Destined Prince, 3. Eagle Mountain
4. Black Dog Proudly Old Fashioned (1000m): 1. Dynamic Cat, 2. Casual Look, 3. Mirror Image
5. The RN Kanga Gold Trophy (1600m): 1. Diego Rivera, 2. Beyond Belief, 3. Samarakhand
6. The BK Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Million (1200m): 1. Kiara, 2. Juventus, 3. Own Voice
7. The McDowell Indian Derby (2400m): 1. Hotstepper, 2. Sweeping Success, 3. Noble Prince, 4. Bourbon King
8. The Dalmore Cup (1400m): 1. Avec Plaisir, 2. World War Three, 3. Hazel Head
9. Antiquity - Indulge In Blue Trophy (1800m): 1. Uruj, 2. Temptation, 3. Johnny Bravo
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