The progeny of Exceed And Excel, known for their sprinting prowess, effectively covered the mile-and-a-quarter trip, securing victory with remarkable ease.
Quinn, the skilled trainer behind Destroyer, revealed that the colt had faced certain issues that were affecting his performance. However, these issues were identified and treated, enabling the horse to bounce back to winning form, even though he wasn't in ideal fitness.
Quinn attributed Destroyer's victory to his exceptional class, emphasizing how it carried him to triumph.
The race featured six runners, and Destroyer was poised as the firm favorite, having previously secured third place in the Bangalore Derby. Nevertheless, his lackluster performance in the Deccan Colts Championship raised doubts about his ability to endure longer distances.
Exceed And Excel's progeny had a reputation for excelling in sprinting events, leading to speculation that Destroyer might have been ambitiously campaigned for longer trips.
However, Patrick Quinn was unwavering in his belief that Destroyer possessed the class required to tackle longer distances.
Quinn explained, "We discovered after the run at Hyderabad that Destroyer had stomach ulcers, and that was the reason for his poor run. After extensive treatment, Destroyer looked good enough to take on the Derby field, though I would say that he was not 100 per cent fit." The comfortable victory recorded by Destroyer has raised hopes for even greater expectations from him in the upcoming winter season.
Another strong contender in the race was "Truth," who had previously secured a distant second place to "Synthesis" in the Deccan Derby.
However, Truth was considerably backed to win the prestigious event, while Destroyer, despite his promising lineage, was available at generous odds.
Jockey Pradeep Chouhan guided Destroyer to the front, maintaining a keen pace. The colt led the field into the final turn with a comfortable lead, leaving his competitors behind.
Truth, who had shown promise in races at Hyderabad, faltered early in the race and struggled to maintain pace. In the end, Destroyer clinched victory by a shade over two lengths, while "Ramiel" secured second place.
Truth, who had fallen behind at the bend, made a late surge to secure the third spot, while "Clifford" found the longer trip uncomfortable, occupying the fourth position.
Patrick Quinn's "Destroyer" left an indelible mark in the annals of the Gr 2 Betbricks7 Calcutta Monsoon Derby 2023, showcasing his formidable talent and resilience.
Cover image: Telegraph India Online
">