Prestigious Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) will be a grand race
By Bob Sawhny
Pune: 11 thoroughbreds have accepted to compete in the prestigious Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Grade 1) which will be run here on Sunday, 12th October 2014. This eminent race is for Indian Horses, 3 years old only. Weights: - Colts and Geldings 56Kg; Fillies 54.5Kg. Distance: 2000M. The 11 horse field comprises Six Fillies & Five Colts/Geldings. Total Stakes of this prestigious race is Rs.83,25,000 and the winner gets Rs.49,95,000. The renowned Pune Derby (Gr.1) is the 7th race in a Card of Nine Events and it is scheduled to be run at 4.00 P.M. In my opinion, the Winner of this esteemed Grade 1 race should emerge from the Trio of Either - Quasar (Suraj Narredu up), Zachary(Akshay up) or Maisha (P. Trevor up). Given hereinafter, are the Trio’s Racing Career Record, Pedigree, good track-work and other relevant data, if any and eventually my final analysis.
QUASAR (Seeking the Dia - Belle Jour) Trainer: M. Narredu
He is a very well conformed colt who has a good racing career record viz. he has run Five Times and Won Two races, come 2nd once, 3rd once and 4th also once, showing that he is a consistent performer. His 1st run was on 22/12/013 in Mumbai over a 1200M, 2YO maiden race, in which he finished a good 2nd, to the well bred and speedy colt-Solomon. After his good run, Quasar worked brilliantly & then on 2/2/2014, he ran in The 1200M B.K. Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million as the favorite, but could only finish 3rd to Merchantofvenice and Last Chance indicating, that he would like to run, over longer trips. Then, on 23/2/2014 Quasar ran The 1400M Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr.1) where, he finished a superb close 4th to Shivalik Storm, Be Safe & War Command. The distances between the quartet being NK, ½, NK. Subsequently, on 16/3/2014 Quasar won The 1600M Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts’ Championship (Gr.3) beating the good gelding Vision of Romanceby 1-1/4L in a superb time of 1-36.00s and the latter ran, after a gap of six months, without having a run in the 2014 Pune Meeting and very stylishly won The 1400M Prithvi Edifice Million on 24/8/2014. Then,Quasar ran on 31/8/2014 and won The 1800M General Rajendrasinhji Million and he did not win well as expected but, that was because, he ran after a gap of almost six months. Quasar is bound to have stripped much fitter, after his last win and he is sure to give a very good account of himself in The 2000M Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) on 12th October, 2014.
Browsing over his pedigree, his highly brilliant‘Sire’ Seeking the Diaby Storm Cat out of Seeking the Pearl from 30 starts in Japan, had Seven spectacular winsin Japan, nine places, two shows, Career Earnings Of $ 5,044,815 which incl. Three-G2 races & Two- Gr.3 racesfrom distances of 1400 to 2000M. And his ‘Dam’ Belle Jour by Smarty Jones out of Sky Legend did nothing significant and Belle Jour’s dam, Sky Legend was unraced. But Belle Jour’s Grandam - Sky Beauty from 21 great starts, had as many as 15 superb wins, with a colossal Career Earnings of $ 1,336,000 in U.S.A. which included Nine-Gr.1 races, Two-Gr.2 races & Two-Gr.3 races U.S.A.So, Quasar’s pedigree is impeccable & he can get trips up to 2000M.
My Final Analysis: The well-bred and very well conformed chestnut Colt, Quasar is the winner of - The 1600M Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts’ Championship (Gr.3). But, the authoritative manner of winning the aforesaid race was a stupendous one & the brilliant time of One Minute 36s which he clocked, was extremely praiseworthy and indicated that he would mature into a terrific Miler, who could get longer trips with maturity. Plus, in his stylish victory, Quasar decisively beat the fine gelding Vision of Romanceat level weights. Plus, Quasar’s superb run, where he came 4th in The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr.1) conspicuously showed that Quasar is a very good Colt. Then, on 31/8/2014, Quasar won The 1800M General Rajendrasinhji Million, but he did not win this race well, as expected. But the reason was very rational, because - Quasar ran The Gen. Rajendrasinji Million after a long gap of about six months. Hence,Quasar, is sure to have stripped much fitter after his win on 31/8/2014 & will surely give a good account of himself in The 2000M Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) because he will relish the 2000M trip as he has a good staying Pedigree & has been blazing the track in his morning work-outsViz.On 22/9 Quasar with Supreme Star H.R. 116 did 800 in 51 (-9), 600 in 38 (-7).Former easily finished a Length ahead. Then On 25/9 Quasar with Falcon H.R.96 did 1000 in 1.04(-11), 600 in 37 (-8) Former finished 5L ahead Then on 29/9 Quasar fared superbly in a Mock Race over 1800M the result being Quasar, Maisha H.R.80, Archie & Okavango H.R.106 Quasar won by 1L, 2l, Distance Time: 1-51(-24), 600 in 36 (-9) Excellent Mock race by Quasar & Maisha. Then on 6/10 Quasar with Okavango did 1200 in 1-18 (-12), 600 in 38----Former trounced.Hence, Quasar who is now, raring to go, has the right credentials to win The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) provided he beats the in-form Gelding Zachary & the classy filly Maisha. Nonetheless, I feel that Quasar’s chances seem to be Pretty Rosy.
ZACHARY (Kinda Ka - Yantai) Trainer: Janardhan
He is a tall and sturdy very good looking, dark chestnut gelding, with a stylish white diamond insignia on his forehead. Zachary has run thrice, won his last 2 races over 1600M in succession very authoritatively. He ran a good 3rd to Godspeed and Rule Downunder in his maiden run on 27/4/2014 in Mumbai. Then on 23/8/2014 (Pune) Zachary domineeringly won a 1600M handicap race, by a widening 3-1/4L in which 13 horses ran, in a race for horses rated 20-46. Subsequently, on 21/9/2014(Pune) Zachary very impressively triumphed in The 1600M S. A. Poonawalla Multi-Million (Gr.2) a terms race for 3YO horses, in which 8 horses ran and he literally trounced one and all, eventually winning by a widening 5L in a speedy time of 1-37.94s. His exemplary win, conspicuously divulged, that he is improving with each win and is well in line for a hat-trick.
Browsing over his pedigree, his ‘Sire’ Kingda Ka {Aus} won 2 races at 3 & 4 (1300m and 1400m), Aus $ 347,775 and placed 7 times including. 2nd in Dubai Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1), Schweppes Royal Sovereign Stakes (Gr.2), Gold Golden Stakes, L, 3rd in Tooheys New Golden Rose (Gr.2), etc. Retired to stud in 2010. His first crop is in training. This is his second crop. And Zachary’s ‘Dam’ Yantai (Greensmith-Gentle And Bold) won 3 races Rs4,87,550 and placed and Zachary’s ‘Grandam’ Gentle And Bold{CAN} won 4 races at 2 to 4 $ 184, 422 dam of 9 good winners: Proteus 3 wins Rs.22,18,351 incl. S.A. Poonawalla Million (Gr.2) & 3rd in Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1), Bold Prospector, 3 wins $80, 687, Italian Dzire 3 wins Rs.6,15,660, Boldly Inspired 2 wins $ 59,718, Prost 2 wins Rs.8,70, 206, Bold Dancer 2 wins Rs.6,18,546, On A Dare 4 wins H. K. HK$ 6,441,775,Wunderbar1 win Rs.2,76,00,Yantai above. Plus,Zachary’s dam’s Tail-Line is a fairly strong one, as it goes down to the likes of Gentle Girl, a maiden, but was the dam of 8 good winners: Gentle Inspiration 8wins $141,541, Gentle And Bold up. Gentleman’s Copy 9 wins $198,298; Gentree12wins $164,995, Gentle Buck 6wins $ 65,983. Other winners: Color Me Cool, Miss Gaylin and Absolute Pleasure. Hence, Zachary is a well-bred gelding, who is sure to win more races, as he matures but his optimum trip is 1600M and he lacks the bloodlines of a Stayer.
My Final Analysis: Zacharyafter his two successive wins over 1600M, in the ongoing Pune Season has worked admirably on the IST Viz. on 4/10, 6/10 and 7/10. Furthermore, Zachary’s last fabulous win on 21/9/2014 in The S. A. Poonawalla Multi-Million (Gr.2) (Zervan up) in which he literally trounced his seven good rivals, clearly divulged, that he is well in line for a hat-trick & the superb manner of winning, showed that, he may get The 2000M trip of The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) although he lacks the bloodlines of a Stayer. Furthermore, it must be noted thatZachary is being ridden by Akshay in The Pune Derby and not Zervan who was astride him, in his last sensational win. But withZervan being indisposed, it may be a big minus factor for Zachary. Nonetheless, if the in-form gelding Zacharysomehow manages to get the 2000M trip then he could cause an Upset in The 2014 Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1).
MAISHA (Footstepsinthesand - My Pension) Trainer: Pesi Shroff
She is a very attractive & well-conformed filly, who has had 6 starts and has won three races authoritatively and finished a good 2nd on Three Occasions, which shows that she is an adept and consistent performer. Maisha’s runs are worth examining (1) won on 24/11/2013 (Mumbai) over 1000M, being her Maiden Win and then (2) finished a very close 2nd, in her next outing to the classy colt - Be Safe on 29/12/2013 also in Mumbai in The 1200M Zoroastrian Multi-Million, possibly because, she had a very bad outer Draw 13. Then, (3)Maisha ran on 18/1/2014 The 1200M Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3) finished on very strongly despite getting badly hampered in the race and came an excellent close 2nd to the superb 3yo gelding - Shivalik Storm. (4) Maisha’s brilliant win in Hyderabad was on 1/3/2014 Viz. won The 1200M Deccan Bookmakers Juvenile Million, a 3yo Terms race by a widening 3-1/2L. (5) Then on 25/5/2014 she ran a good 2nd to Be Safe in The 1400M Nanoli Stud Juvenile Million (Gr.2) (6) And On 15/6/14 Maisha in Bangalore domineeringly won The 1600M Fillies Championship (Gr.1) by a widening 3-1/2L beating good 3YO fillies like Godspeed, Tiger Tops, Celebra etc.
Pondering over Maisha’s Pedigree, her ‘Sire’ Footstepsinthesand from 3 starts had three wins. His excellent Career Earnings were of a lavish 226,451 Pounds, because as a 2yrs old he won The 1400M Killavullen Stakes IRE-G3 and at 3yrs he won the highly prestigious English Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1). Hence, from her ‘Sire’ Footstepsinthesand’s side, Maisha is not bred to stay- more than 1600M.Her dam, ‘My Pension’ did nothing significant buther two half-sisters won about 12 races between themselves, nine of which ranged from 2400 m. to 3000 m. Plus, their Grandam was a dual Gr.3 winner in France & a full sister to Galiani, a winner of the 3000m Grand Prix de Paris, Gr.1.
My Final Analysis: Therefore, it is very clear, thatMaisha from her dam’s side is endowed with good stamina. But, she is running after about four months since her last win at Bangalore on 15/6/2014 which is a big disadvantage. Although she has been blazing the track in her morning work-outs and she also had a Mock-Race on 28/9/2014 along with Quasar who beat her by 1LBut it must be noted that Maisha, was in hand, in the Mock-race. Hence, under the astute training of the Master of Trainers – Pesi Shroff - Maisha who is bred to stay distance trips, distinctly from her dam’s side, has the right credentials to win The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Gr.1) but she has to get the better of the Two, raring to go Geldings- the spirited Quasar & Zachary who has an upsetting chance.
