With this issue of Racing World we complete our 6th year of publication, covering the exciting world of Equine sport – horse racing, polo and other equestrian events. Having moved into unchartered territory in August 2003, we are happy to have established ourselves in this niche market providing enthusiasts of the sport with comprehensive information, detailed reviews, timely previews, profile interviews, news and views, breeding and pedigree updates, racing statistics and lots of interesting racing information. Polo has been an intrinsic part of Racing World and we have tried to cover as many events as possible during the polo season. Over the past six years we have had writers from around the globe show interest in writing for Racing World and this has added a new dimension with an international perspective. Promoting all aspects of equine sport is our objective and we hope that those connected with the sport will contribute with ideas that will invoke more interest to those already involved with the sport as well as to attract new entrants to the game. We take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, advertisers, subscribers, contributors and the racing fan in general who have supported us this far. As we commence our 7th year of publication we look forward to your continued support.
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PREVIEW : APRIL - MAY 2010
THE VANDREVALA FOUNDATION INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP
WEEKEND 2010
The Indian Turf Invitation Cup returns to Mumbai after a gap of six years
with a promise that this will be the Invitation of all Invitations,
both in respect of the pre-race tamasha as well as the competition on the turf.
Mumbai was privileged to see a champion become a legend, and no matter what
the result of the Invitation Cup is, Jacqueline’s performance of winning
the four Indian Classics in a row will be remembered for years to come
and this outstanding achievement is unlikely to be equaled. Becket would have been
a worthy Derby winner in any other year but was unfortunate to come across
this little filly with a huge heart. The tactics used by the Padmanabhan camp
to test Jacqueline’s caliber and to make her gallop was a sound one, and they
would have succeeded but for Jacqueline’s prowess to take on any challenge
under any circumstance. Already hailed as the greatest Indian bred to have
graced the Indian Turf her status can be only further enhanced with a victory
in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup. One cannot leave out Pesi Shroff ’s superb training
feat or Richard Hughes’ masterful, neigh…brilliant understanding and riding of the filly. Hughes and Jacqueline moved as one, in perfect harmony and the impact that this magnificent filly has had on him is evident, that he has named his new-born daughter Phoebe Jacqueline Hughes.
The Vandrevala Foundation Sprinters’ Cup (Gr1)
With the absence of Oasis Star the Sprinter’ Cup has been thrown wide open and it could be anyone’s race between Forest Flair, Sea Ruler, Sprint Star, Diamond Hunter, Palazzio’s Sun, D’artagnan and Arts.
Forest Flair (Placerville – Tide of Fortune) He has just recently won the Dr S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship which has stood the test of time as many winners of this race have gone on to win the Sprinters’ Cup. Forest Flair has a unique way of running; fights to the last stride, and in our opinion would be hard to beat.
Sea Ruler (Ee Dubai – Cool Ashlee) He is probably running in both the Sprinters’ Cup as well as the Super Mile, is a strongly built gelding that lost by a short head in the Dr S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship and could turn the tables on Forest Flair. In taking his chances in the Super Mile after running the Sprinters’ Cup, he may feel the effects of that run, when taking on the experience of the older crop in the Super Mile.
Portrush (Razeen - Husun) This ageing
gelding has won in scintillating style in Pune but we feel that he has met his match in the younger pair of Forest Flair and Sea Ruler.
Palazzio’s Sun(Alnasr Alwasheek-Palazzio) This five-year-old horse really came into his own during the last Bangalore Summer Season when he was campaigned in sprints. After picking up two Grade 3 sprint races he was targeted at the richly endowed Dasara Sprint Championship in Mysore. He turned in his best performance to date, winning in a new course record that promptly earned him a shot at Oasis Star in the Sprinter’s Cup at Hyderabad. Here he put in another impressive effort by taking the lead in the straight and hanging on until the final fifty metres before losing to the champion filly by a little over a length. He has not been seen on the racetrack since then though this should not be too much of a hindrance and if he is at his best, in the absence of Oasis Star, he will be a live contender for top honours...
Noble Prince(Placerville-Amazing Princess) This tough six-year-old has what it takes to battle it out with the best in the most gruelling test on the Indian Turf. A brilliant summer performance brought him the coveted Maharaja’s Cup (2200m) and the Governor’s Cup (2400m). Despite his below par show in the last running of the Stayers’ Cup at Hyderabad in October, he showed all his fighting qualities when he stormed home to beat his younger opponents in the Chief Minister’s Cup (2000m) this January. The Mahalakshmi track will suit him better and he will be the one to beat for the Stayers’ crown.
Classerville(Placerville-Pleasure Hunt) This son of Placerville has never really lived up to his early promise. After a long lay off from the track he was soundly beaten by
stable mate Noble Prince in the Chief Minister’s Cup before running a creditable second to Arabian Prince in the Golconda Derby. Trying to do it all by himself, he was caught close home by the winner and was well beaten in the Indian Derby a week later. On his present form he will have his task cut out for him in this event.
Systematic(Steinbeck-Alvarada) Systematic won the Bangalore Oaks in a close finish with Youre So Beautiful and then opted to run in the Golconda Derby rather than in the Bangalore Derby. She finished on to take third place behind Arabian Prince and Classerville but never really put these two under any real pressure. She will have to show a huge step up in class if she is to be in contention in this race against some seasoned campaigners...
Dancing Dynamite (Glory of Dancer-Double Wish) Dancing Dynamite who played brides maid for most of last year came into his own when he won the Super Mile in Hyderabad in October 2009 and then confirmed his prowess when he won the R N Kanga Gold Cup in grand style beating Diego Rivera and the lot. That he is a top class miler is no doubt and will probably be the horse that everyone will have to beat.
Diego Rivera (Diffident-Rahy’s Serenade) This evergreen six-year-old who came out of a major setback ran his first race this season in the R N Kanga Gold Cup and surprised all by running an eye-catching second to Dancing Dynamite. A winner of eleven races including the Super Mile in 2008 he is in great heart at present and if
anyone can turn the tables on Dancing Dynamite it will be him.
Icebreaker (Alnasr Alwasheek-Iceberg) Bangalore’s top performer from last year is still churning out wins against top opposition as she showed in the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes of India. A fair third in the Invitation Cup at Hyderabad notwithstanding, Icebreaker’s best trip seems to be between 1600m-2000m. She was a nonstaying third in the Bangalore St Leger in the summer and the decision to drop her down to the metric mile seems a wise one. She has never been out of the first three in all eighteen career starts and must be considered one of the leading contenders for this prize...
The Vandrevala Foundation
Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Gr1)
Jacqueline(King Charlemagne-Talita Kumi) Jacqueline has done a lot. She’s run ten times and won eight races. The last six in a row. Five of these are Classics. She appears to have taken the Derby race well and is at present jumping out of her skin and raring to go.
Becket(Hawk Wing-Boiling Water) Becket is a big horse who has had a host of problems, but has fought his way through them with help and understanding from his trainer S Padmanabhan. He was unbeaten in his career of four wins including the Bangalore Derby, and then he made everyone sit up and take notice of him by his gallant effort in the Indian Derby. His latest track work has shown that he has come on from this run, but can he turn the tables on Jacqueline?
— Razor’s Edge, (Mumbai)
This talented colt finally came good in the Bangalore Derby and his subsequent fine second place in the Indian Derby has shown him to be as good as he had earlier been made out to be. He poses a real threat to Jacqueline’s supremacy and the run in the Indian Derby will bring him on even more considering that his racing career is only five races old. Provided he stays sound
Becket will have a major say in the final outcome of this year’s Indian Turf Invitation Cup.
— Sanjay Reddy (Bangalore)
Native Knight(Placerville-Native Tactics) The eternal brides-maid throughout his racing career, he has always been thrown in into the deep end that has left him still a maiden. He must be a horse with a really big heart as he has been on board in all the classics that he has run and he would not surprise us if he finishes on board once again. A change of tactics and subject to being more judiciously placed, we feel he could change his maiden status.
Star Alliance(Razeen-Trois Etoiles) He ran a smart fifth in the Indian Derby and is likely to try to improve on that run in the Invitation Cup.
Bruckner(Ikhtyar-Allies Serenade) A winner of three races in Mumbai, was pitted against the best of Kolkata in the Kolkata Derby which he won with a degree of comfort, but was outclassed in the Indian Derby. It is likely that the travel from Kolkata to Mumbai had taken its toll and he should have recuperated since.
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