Indian Derby: Be Safe, be happy

It had been five years since champion filly Jacqueline did justice to her 'favourite' tag by winning the Indian Derby. Often regarded as the graveyard of the public choice, the richest race on the Indian racing calendar has broken the hearts of many a jockey, trainer and owner.

Jockey Suraj Narredu knows the pressure that comes with riding a favourite. And he did extremely well to guide Be Safe to victory at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday. He did so in record time — two minutes, 27.71 seconds — by eclipsing the mark set by 2014 winner Alaindair (2:28.05).

The colt, owned by MAM Ramaswamy and trained by Malesh Narredu, won the prestigious race by an impressive four-and-a-half lengths. What's more, it was his first Derby.

"Be Safe is the best horse I've ever ridden. I didn't really have to train it much," Suraj said after the win. Interestingly, Suraj never used the whip on the horse. "I never had to, he just does whatever I want him to do. I never had any trouble with him."

Perhaps, not using the whip has something to do with the Narredu family. Suraj's father Satish, who won the event in 1996 riding Amazing Bay, never whipped his filly. In 1997, Suraj's uncle and trainer of Be Safe, Malesh, too won the event riding Indictment, although he had to use the whip only twice.

Satish says his son probably took a cue from him. "Suraj and I were fortunate to have a good horse. I was talking to him last night (Saturday) and were discussing strategies and telling him stories of when I won. I didn't tell him whether to use the whip or not, but I think he didn't use the whip because I didn't."

Suraj said it was like keeping a family tradition alive. "It's a sense of deja vu. Not whipping the horse and winning the Indian Derby is something that not many people can do. It feels so great. I've been waiting to win the Indian Derby from the time I became a jockey. I'm really fortunate to have been born in this family. I never need to go to anyone else to seek help. These guys are so experienced. I was lucky enough to be riding Be Safe. He's a legendary horse. The fact that he broke the record proves just that."

Malesh said he didn't have to work too much with Be Safe. "Till date, this horse has never been under pressure, so we still have to see how fast he can go when the situation is tight."

From the time Suraj sat on Be Safe, he knew that he'd hit the jackpot. "I remember when Suraj sat on him in Bangalore last year, he called me up and said 'Uncle, this is an international horse, I've never ridden a better horse.' I think they had some kind of connection. A good rider will always know a prized horse," said Malesh.

So how does the Narredu family plan to celebrate? "The first thing that we always do is to go to the Mahalaxmi temple. We did it when my brother (Satish) won, when I won, and now when nephew (Suraj) has broken our the record," Malesh said.

RESULTS
1. Antiquity Blue Cup (1,600 metres): 1. Vixen, 2. Satellite, 3. Glorious Reward, 4. Mambo Magic
2. Whit Mischief Cup (1,000 metres): 1. Senorita Evita, 2. Gangnam Style, 3. Spider Man, 4. Hidden Asset
3. Four Seasons Cup (1,600 metres): 1. Sacred Fire, 2. Mogadishu, 3. Sweep Aside, 4. Pearl Secret
4. Royal Challenge Cup (1,200 metres): 1. Grey Mist, 2. In My Life, 3. Rock The Turf, 4. Secret Oath
5. United Spirits Challenge (1,400 metres): 1. Your Royal Majesty, 2. Remember Me, 3. Tammy O, 4. Fibonacci Sequence
6. McDowell's No.1 Platinum Trophy (2,400 metres): 1. Midnight Dancer, 2. Bethpage, 3. Argyle Pink, 4. Ricochet
7. BK Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million (1,200 metres): 1. Colombiana, 2. Kyoto, 3. Stateira, 4. Shadowfax
8. The McDowell Signature Indian Derby (2,400 metres): 1. Be Safe, 2. Tiger Tops, 3. Quasar, Aquamarine
9. Royal Challenge Cup (1,200 metres): 1. Izarra, 2. Laurus Pride, 3. Dia, 4. Nazrana