Spectacle and a great turnout at Chilivani Racecourse for the 100° Derby Sardo, a magical night accompanied by thousands of spectators who packed every section of the stands at the Don Meloni. Writing her name on the roll of honour of the centenary edition was Inchimbe, with a performance of clear, almost overwhelming superiority. The representative of the Inchimbe Silanus stable, trained by Antonio Cottu and ridden by Davide Cirocca, fully lived up to her role as favourite and recorded a victory destined to enter the history of the island race.
Opening the day of events in Ozieri had been the Arma dei Carabinieri, in the spotlight with the performance of the Fanfara del 4° Reggimento Carabinieri a Cavallo and with the mounted Carabinieri of the Stazione di Foresta Burgos. Then, at 21.30, the traditional parade accompanied the public towards the most eagerly awaited moment, acting as a prelude to a historic edition of the Derby Sardo.
Sixteen contenders lined up at the start. From the opening stages the group of favourites found themselves in the leading positions. Imperatorecatalano took the lead ahead of Iridia, with Inchimbe immediately in touch and Isidoro Dey settled on the inside. The field remained compact on the first passage in front of the stands, with Imperatorecatalano determined to set his own pace and Iridia always close to the leader.
Behind them Inchimbe remained in an ideal position, never losing contact, while Imperatrice Iris travelled close to the leaders and Ingegnoso was slightly detached. Imperatorecatalano continued to control the pace also around the second turn, maintaining about three quarters of a length over Iridia, with Inchimbe ready to make her move.
The race was decided around the final bend. Inchimbe made her move, swept past Imperatorecatalano and at the entrance to the straight changed gear with authority. From that moment there was no longer a race: the favourite opened up a clear margin and powered towards the finish in total control.
Davide Cirocca was able to accompany her through the final 250 metres, with Inchimbe the absolute master of the scene. A victory in total control, clear-cut, built with evident superiority from the moment of the attack.
Imperatorecatalano finished in second place with a generous performance, doing everything possible against a rival who today was out of reach. Third place went to Isidoro Dey, author of a surprising and worthy performance, ahead of Idealuna, fourth.
The verdict of the hundredth edition therefore crowns Inchimbe, the number one favourite, capable of turning the most eagerly awaited appointment into a display of strength. No one more than her could have deserved to be entered in slot number one hundred of the Derby Sardo roll of honour.
