Bangalore: The Kimmane Bangalore Derby, on Saturday, has a lacklustre field of eight runners. The recent form and performance of each runner, excepting Snow Bird — the easy winner of the 2,400m Bangalore Oaks, in a time of 2 mins. 35.82 secs. — indicate that they are mediocre. The K. Satheesh-trained Snow Bird, by Oath out of X Factor, who recently shifted here, from Hyderabad, for the Ladies’ Derby, suggests that she can stay the distance. Therefore, against a poor opposition she is taking on, she may start as a clear favourite.

Snow Bird will be taking on — from horse to horse with some credentials — Super Storm. The Rebuttal — Cielo Vodakamartini is the highest rated colt in the field. He had finished second in, both, the Bangalore and the Mysore Derby, but looks a suspect over the winter Derby course — the 2,400 metres.

Jersey Girl was the favourite in the Oaks but she finished a poor seventh, clearly indicating the lack of stamina to last the Derby distance. Her connections seem to be running the filly, in the Derby, purely out of expectations than any strong conviction.

State Secret, another contender, who has so far won only over seven furlongs, planted and lost many lengths at the start in the Oaks. Though she finished fourth to Snow Bird, she has to show phenomenal improvement if she has to have any realistic chance in the Derby.

Finally, Red Baron, who has won over a mile and a half, in Pune, cannot be expected to make a rapid progress to be a Derby horse and make it.

All said and done, it is Snow Bird (B.Sreekanth-up) who looks to have a clear advantage over the field, to lift the Derby.

SELECTIONS

1.30pm: Resurgent 1. Assurance 2. Super Saloni 3.

2pm: Strengthandwonder 1. Amazonas 2. Supreme Regime 3.

2.30pm: Anfield 1. Union Jack 2. Abbas Dreams 3.

3.05pm: Thrillseeker 1. Blue Star 2. Cinnamon Rush 3.

3.40pm: Sovetskaya 1. Hillfiger 2. Severstahl 3.

4.15pm: Snow Bird 1. Super Storm 2. State Secret 3.

4.50pm: Courage In Red 1. Auburn Beauty 2. Lad Star 3.

5.25pm: Ice Kingdom 1. Serengeti 2. Starstruck 3.

6pm: Mystere 1. Six Shooter 2. Yamas 3.

Day’s Best: Courage In Red Double: Anfield & Ice Kingdom.