Xisca with B Prakash up wins The Golconda Textiles Deccan Derby 2010

Xisca trained by Pesi Shroff with B Prakash up wins The Golconda Textiles Deccan Derby 2010
Jockey Prakash drove out Xisca to get the better of Kohinoor Wish in the final stages of the Gr 1 Golconda Textiles Deccan Derby to swell his tally of classic wins at Malakpet on Sunday. The Pesi Shroff trained daughter of China Visit came up with a powerful stretch run to overtake longtime leader Kohinoor Wish to record a decisive win. This win also provided Shroff his first success in this race as a trainer. Xisca is the second daughter of China Visit to win a Derby. In July, Moonlight Romance had won the Gr 1 Kingfisher Derby and the success of Xisca should boost her sire China Visit whose progeny seems to be firing with regularity in recent times.
The Usha Stud Farm produce Xisca went into this race as a favourite ahead of local hope Vijay Monarch and she justified the strong support by showing both her staying prowess as well as ability to change gears by picking up speed when Kohinoor Wish appeared to have gone away from the rest with a furlong to go. Jockey Prakash, whose classic tally is more than 100, is also the one Indian jockey to have over 2000 winners. The unassuming professional has proved to be quietly efficient though lack of success in the last few months may have dented his confidence a bit. This win should see him at the helm again.
Da Xia and Youre An Eton were the pace setters as the field set out to travel the mile and quarter trip in good, firm going. The pace of the race was pretty decent, with Kohinoor Wish and Rapture of Victory settled in about fifth or sixth position. Vijay Monarch graced the rear end of the field followed by Xisca. Half way through the stage, Pradeep Chouhan abruptly moved up on Vijay Monarch from behind, possibly sensing that he had kept the one paced horse too far away from the front bunch and Prakash followed Xisca into the straight. Vijay Monarch failed to quicken and stayed glued to the fourth position while Xisca steadily gained the upper hand.
Jockey John pushed Kohinoor Wish to take over the running at the top of the long Hyderabad stretch which in itself was a good move. Where he erred was in pushing Kohinoor Wish to accelerate when he could have done well to have waited with the horse in front. Kohinoor Wish went away into a big lead and at one time it looked as though Xisca would be unable to catch up with him. However, the effort of running in front told on Kohinoor Wish who slackened inside the final100 metres. John also aggravated the problem by relying on the whip more than hands and heels approach. Prakash was unhurried in his approach and it was clear that he was pretty confident that he would catch up with the front runner. He was not required to be aggressive on the horse by using the whip. He drove out the filly with hands and heels and overhauled the front runner quite comfortably, sparing a shade less than two lengths at the finish. Rapture of Victory chased Kohinoor Wish into the straight but did not gain places but managed to finish third, ahead of stablemate Vijay Monarch. Kohinoor Wish ran a game race but stamina limitations and the jockey`s tactic of rushing his horse undid any possibility of pulling off a big win for trainer Prasad Raju. The rest of the runners were outclassed.