The highlight of the day 18, Bangalore Summer Meeting, the Zavaray S. Poonawalla Bangalore Summer Derby (Grade I), lived up to every ounce of expectation, delivering a thrilling 2000-meter showdown among the country’s top three-year-olds foaled in 2022. Run at 4:00 pm, the event carried a whopping prize pool of ₹2,50,00,000, with the winner’s share a staggering ₹1,48,50,000 and a trophy valued at ₹3,00,000.
Emerging victorious was the tote-favourite Fynbos, partnered by P. Trevor, who timed his challenge to perfection to hand the prestigious Derby win to Five Stars Shipping Co. Pvt. Ltd., Mr Vispi R. Patel, and Miss Anita J. Captain. Trained by Pesi Shroff, Fynbos stopped the clock at 2:03.28 after a perfectly judged ride. The winner was bred at Nanoli Stud Farm, sired by Kingda Ka (AUS) out of Mahali, and showcased class, stamina, and tactical brilliance.
Finishing second was Prokofiev, ridden by Suraj Narredu for trainer Prasanna Kumar. Representing Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt. Ltd., the runner-up clocked 2:03.86, running a commendable race despite not matching strides with the winner in the final stretch. He was bred at Poonawalla Exhilaration, by Leitir Mor (IRE) out of Balmoral Castle.
Miracle Star completed the top three under Neeraj Rawal for trainer S. Padmanabhan in 2:04.18, representing Radiant Blood Stock Pvt Ltd rep. by Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan and Mr S. Padmanabhan. Bred at Poonawalla Estates, by Excellent Art (GB) out of Romantic Star.
Red Bishop, also trained by Pesi Shroff and ridden by A. Sandesh, finished fourth with a timing of 2:04.26. Moon Star, the mount of Vivek G. for trainer Aravind G came fifth by clocking at 2:4.45.
With celebrations high after Fynbos’ Derby triumph, the spotlight now turns to the penultimate event of the day, The Hyderabad Salver, scheduled for 4:45 pm.
