Dubai: English jockey Martin Dwyer's hopes of winning India's richest horserace, the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby (Group 1), were dealt a body blow after local stable staff went on strike forcing the postponement of the Rs23.5 million (Dh1.92 million) race.

Dwyer, whose biggest win came in 2006 when he won the Epsom Derby aboard Sir Percy, has been scheduled to ride Preordained for leading Bengaluru-based trainer S. Padmanabhan, but is unlikely to be available for the race when it is staged next Saturday. Elusive trophy Ireland's Chris Hayes, who had also flown to India to ride in the Bangalore Derby, remains committed to partnering ante-post favourite Speed Six, who is also trained by Padmanabhan. The trainer, who has won every Indian Classic except the Indian Derby, became the first handler from the sub-continent to have runners in Dubai in 2004 when Zurbaran and Classic Act ran at Nad Al Sheba.

However, it was in 2007 that India celebrated its first Dubai victory when Mystical, trained by Subaiah Ganapathy, won two handicaps at the Carnival. Meanwhile, Bangalore Turf Club (BTC secretary) S. Nirmal Prasad is hoping that the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby will take place in five days' time.