Moonlight Romance with David Allan up wins The Indian Derby 2011

The filly Moonlight Romance (China Visit - Wandering Star by Razeen) gallantly held off all challengers to win the McDowell Signature Indian Derby, Gr.1, at Mahalakshmi today and in doing so provided her owners-Mr. Rakesh Wadhwan and his partners-her trainer Cooji Katrak, jockey David Allan and the stallion China Visit with their first taste of success in the Blue Riband of Indian racing. A gutsy, lionhearted performance saw her beat the favourite Ocean and Beyond by a length and a quarter with another China Visit filly, Xisca, half a length behind in third and just a neck in front of Macchupicchu. It was also the first Indian Derby win for Razeen as a broodmare sire. The veteran Usha Stud stalwart has already sired four Indian Derby winners himself; now a daughter of his has started the ball rolling.
Mr. Rakesh Kumar Wadhwan is a new entrant to the ranks of owners. He owns the Housing Developement & infrastructure Limited, a construction and real estate company, and he has invested heavily in bloodstock over the last five years or so. Perhaps the biggest owner in India now, he did not taste classic success immediately. That has come to him in a flood this year as he has not only won three of the four Indian classics through Moonlight Romance and Ocean and Beyond but had 1-2 here.