Quiet confidence is Vijay Singhs mantra - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 24 Feb 2015
Quiet confidence is Vijay Singh's mantra
By Tom Krish
When I called Vijay Singh early Tuesday, I did not expect him to recognize me. However, that concern quickly dissipated when I mentioned my name. "I know who you are. I read your stories," trainer Vijay Singh reacted.
What is the lesson? The RWITC website has a wide audience. Racing professionals take the time to read the stories. That is heartening news indeed and provides me motivation to write one more story. I know for a fact that racing people outside of India get a great deal of information from the website.
"I am in Kolkata, We are racing today. I'll be in Mumbai on Wednesday. It has been hectic but I will take the time to answer your questions," trainer Vijay Singh said.
How many runners will Vijay Singh have over the Invitation Cup weekend? "I have three. Snowdrift will go in the Invitation Cup. Ademaro will take his chances in the Stayers' Cup and Mr Gorgeous will be my runner in the Major Mehra Mile."
Snowdrift, winner of the 2014 Kolkata Derby, has been in sparkling form this winter. Snowdrift, owned by Deepak Khaitan, won the Mayfowl Cup. Next came the 1600-metre Kolkata Gold Cup. Mumbai's Circle of Bliss was an odds on choice. Mr Gorgeous showed the way and Circle Of Bliss tracked the pacesetter. In the lane, Snowdrift was let loose and the response was electrifying. The third victory for Snowdrift (in a row) came in the Indian Champion Cup. Now, the wagering favorite, Snowdrift again held up by Chris Alford, proved the fastest when it mattered. Circle Of Bliss, D K Ashish up, tried shadowing Snowdrift but found her nemesis again too good. With this three-race win streak on the line, Snowdrift, now five, will take on formidable four year-olds and a five year-old mare, Amazing Grace.
"Snowdrift arrived in Mumbai on 27th January. He suffered a minor injury in the float. The training schedule was interrupted but there has been a speedy recovery. Snowdrift is doing very well," Vijay Singh continued.
How does trainer Vijay Singh rate Snowdrift's chances? "I realize that the Invitation Cup is a challenge and a stiff challenge at that. Snowdrift is a versatile sort. He is good with a stalking trip and equally effective when coming off the pace. I would like a middle draw. Dashrath Singh will ride."
Snowdrift is by Multidimensional. Snow Tiger is Snowdrift's dam. Steinbeck by Mr Prospector, is Snow Tiger's sire. If current form is the criterion, Snowdrift is a factor.
Ademaro may not have the form and the record that would make him a frontline player in the Stayers' Cup. Vijay Singh, however, believes that the 3000-metre distance may be Ademaro's cup of tea.
"Ademaro was third in the Queen Elizabeth Cup over 2800 metres. He finished close up. I strongly believe that the longer he goes, the better he'll go. Shailesh Shinde will be on board."
Ace is Ademaro's sire. I was at York in June 2005 when the Royal Ascot meeting was conducted at the Yorkshire venue. Ace won a controversial Queen Anne Stakes. After an inquiry, the result stood. Kieren Fallon rode Ace.
We now come to Mr Gorgeous. The son of Mr Mellon had a productive first season. In a 1600-metre race, Mr Gorgeous suffered a narrow loss when carrying 62 kgs. After a win in the first race of the 2014-15 campaign, Mr Gorgeous ran second in the Calcutta Gold Cup. In his most recent start in Mumbai, Mr Gorgeous and Shailesh Shinde came from the rear to be second to Zachary.
"We had horses having the Mr Gorgeous blood line and they did not do well. Therefore, I will say that Mr Gorgeous was underestimated but we were wrong. He was not entered in many of the big events. We thought Mr Gorgeous will be good up to 1600. After the Calcutta Gold Cup, our sights were on the Major Mehra Mile. We had an exploratory race in Mumbai. We planned to stay in the midfield or the back and make a charge in the lane. The intention was to give Mr Gorgeous a feel of the track and jockey Shinde to get a valuable learning experience. Both objectives were accomplished. Yes, there is Maisha and then there is Zachary. I am quietly hopeful," Vijay Singh elaborated.
Mr Mellon won thrice from nine career starts. His most notable victory came in the 2002 (Grade II Turf) Arlington Classic. Arlington Park where the Classic is run annually, is 25 miles northwest of where I live (in a Chicago suburb) and is where Suraj Narredu rode in the summer of 2011.
Mr Mellon is the sire of Mr Gorgeous. Drop Dead Gorgeous, a Razeen mare, is the dam of Mr Gorgeous. Mr Mellon's father is Red Ransom. Owned by Paul Mellon, Red Ransom, as a freshman, set a track record at Saratoga in upstate New York. Red Ransom won two races and suffered a career-ending injury.
Mr Mellon's dam is Mackie whose father is Summer Squall who campaigned successfully in America, Summer Squall is a son of Storm Bird.
Mr Mellon reminds me of Paul Mellon. Sea Hero carried Paul Mellon's colors to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Mill Reef, ridden by Geoff Lewis and owned by Paul Mellon, won the Epsom Derby and the Arc de Triomphe. Those who have followed Kolkata racing will remember Geoff Lewis who cut his teeth in Kolkata and went on to become the number one rider in England. Paul Mellon was 85 when his Sea Hero won the Kentucky Derby. Jerry Bailey was the rider. I was at Churchill Downs that afternoon. I had a losing wager and cannot remember the name of the horse.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
