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Indian Derby: Desert God creates storm

Rank outsider spoils favourties' party to triumph 2,400m Indian Derby race

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The Indian Derby is the most awaited and high-profile event in the Indian horse racing calendar. However, more often than not, it's a rank outsider that spoils the fortunes of many.

The Indian Derby once again proved to be a graveyard for favourties, with Desert God winning the 2,400m race at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday. The Sharmila Padmanabhan and S Padmanabhan-owned horse piped favourite Myrtlewood, trained by Pesi Shroff, by half a length. Gestapo, also trained by Shroff, took the third spot.

Rode by 33-year-old David Allan of Great Britain, Desert God started slow off the blocks and remained in the leading pack till the 2,000m mark. It was only in the last 300m that he led the pack along with Myrtlewood. With 200m to go, Desert God took off to put the result beyond doubt.

Pace-setter Colombiana, rode by Pat Smullen, led for most of the race, with Gestapo close on his heels. Another favourite, Costa Del Sol, remained in the top four throughout the race but finished seventh.

"It was amazing. With 300m left, and when Desert God was competing with Myrtlewood, I knew that my horse would win because he had the strength to finish strong," said S Padmanabhan, who also trains the horse.
Jockey Allan said he always knew that Desert God could win the Derby if he found good gaps. "If you see, he (Desert God) was travelling well throughout the race. I knew that after 1,800m if I could get a good gap, we would win because this horse has good stamina," he said.

Shroff, whose two horses finished in the top-three, said he wasn't disappointed with the result, but added that the Derby race should only comprise the best horses. This year, 20 horses participated in the main race.
"It was a good race, but I think if only the top horses ran, then perhaps we would have had a different result," he said.

Results (Indian Derby Grade 1; 2,400m): 1. Desert God 2:29:36, Myrtlewood 2:29:43. Gestapo 2:29:69, Phoenix Tiger 2:29:88, 5. Colombiana 2:30:58, 6. Jefferson 2:30:60, 7. Costa Del Sol 2:30:66

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