Dr. S. C. Jain Sprinters’ follows on heels of Indian Derby
The Indian Derby weekend is always a tough act to follow, and even though the attendance was only a few thousand on Derby Day, the high quality racing was soaked in by the aficionados. The Dr.S.C.Jain Sprinters’ , traditionally follows on the heels of the Derby, and named after a long standing Chairman of the RWITC, is one of the country’s topmost sprint races and a pointer to the Sprinters’ Cup.
Dr Jain held the reins of the Club for a record 13 years, and served on the RWITC Committee in a distinguished career spanning three decades from 1972/73. A passionate owner with his family, his most famous wins came from Tiger Lily, Gobelin and Sprungli, though he never won an Indian classic.
This year is especially poignant as Dr Jain passed away six months ago, and his enthusiasm to make the day special was infectious. The family has given away the most stunning trophies, associated with charities, invited celebrities and given away prizes to exotic destinations. In his memory this year, there is a watercolour by a reputed equine artist being presented by us to the Club, a stay at a luxury five star resort in Krabi island is being offered in a contest and we have also invited a senior Cabinet minister to give away theCup.
Six winners of the S.C.Jain also won the Sprinters’, and some legendary speedsters as Indiscretion, Palazzio, Oasis Star and more recently Ruffina have worn the winners sash in this race.
Derby Day, though muted in promotion and attendance, was enjoyed by the regulars who did not feel harried and hurried by the one timers who usually make this Day an annual pilgrimage. It was marked by a smashingly good show by Zuccarelli, who outstayed the opposition in the Derby and ended Miracle’s dream run, though it is rumoured the filly came back lame. The stage is thus set for his mouth watering clash with Juliette in Chennai’s Invitation Cup , who won the Eclipse like the champion she is, and proved her trainer right who attributed her controversial loss in the Invitation to jockey Sandesh.
The other star showing was that of Giant Star, who became the first horse to score a hat trick this season and the Super Mile could well be his next target. Supernatural, full brother to last year’s Derby winner Immortality and who goes to the top of the PBMM hopefuls, easily bagged the fourth group race of the afternoon.
By Mr. Vivek Jain
