Set Alight towered over the opposition and this perception was shared by all as the filly was the shortest priced horse in the history of Kingfisher Derby. Colts Trial Stakes runner up Archipenko was the only horse which was quoted at less than 10 to 1 while the rest, despite whatever expectations the connections had, were not considered to be a threat to the talented daughter of Razeen. The unbeaten filly was increasing the gulf between her and the rest with each run. Jockey Malesh Narredu had no problem in keeping Set Alight a handy fourth and then quickening on turning for home to win in a record timing of two minutes 02.32 seconds which bettered the record of Star Supreme which stood at 2 minutes 3.09 seconds. The timings this season have been one second above par but the filly’s performance should be seen in the light of older records having been made at a time when there was no scientific measurement of distances. Staring points have been pushed
back quite a bit a few years back and thus the timings recorded during the season clearly highlight the progress made by the Indian thoroughbred.
Gentle Knight bolted to the front from the inside draw with the other pace maker Sugar Ray also joining the fray as the field was dispatched for the 2000 metres trip. They were followed by Star Presentation, Kickingking, Set Alight, Archipenko, Vijayrath and Star of Washington. The last named never picked up steam at any stage of the race and even when no hopper Vijayrath moved up to take a forward position at around 900 metres marker, the son of Placerville was struggling for pace. Set Alight who was traveling well within herself all through the trip, gained ground on the front runners without any apparent effort and sailed away to win by a distance, the jockey having to just remind her of the task with a tap or two. Archipenko plodded on to be second while Star Presentation was another 2 ¾ lengths adrift. Noble View was a poor fourth. It was a hopelessly one sided contest.
Set Alight may well have left Autonomy far behind. Autonomy is the only horse which had beaten Set Alight in her six appearances on the track but lost the race in the Stewards room but going by the progress made by the Usha Stud Farm produce, the filly may well have gone beyond reach of her adversary. Pesi Shroff believes that the best of Set Alight is yet to come and she is headed for bigger things. ``I may give her a lead up race at Pune for the Indian classics,’’ said Shroff, talking about the future programme of the filly. Set Alight surely is destined to become an all-time great of Indian racing.
Set Alight who had won stakes of about 48 lakhs thus far, became the first three-year old to gross over Rs 1 crore so early in her career. The Kingfisher Derby was worth Rs 71.28 lakhs. And her sojourn in Bangalore has fetched her money in excess of Rs 1 crore.
The dam of Set Aside also raced in the colors of URBB. The Usha Stud Farm bred Set Alight is an outright purchase and at the end of her racing career, she will be retired to the Kunigal Stud Farm.
Two other fillies, Littleover and Supervite who won this race, went on to win the Indian Derby. Both these winners were gutsy performers but they did not have the class of Set Alight. Set Alight should complete the Derby double if everything goes right. Barring Storm Again, Dr Mallya’s success in the Indian Derby has come through fillies namely Cordon Bleu, Starfire Girl, Littleover and Supervite.
Dr Vijay Mallya unfortunately could not make it to the occasion. In his absence, the Kingfisher Derby was presented by Mrs. Rekha Mallya and the trophy was received by Mr. Zeyn Mirza, Managing Director, URBB Ltd.
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