A Two-Hero potboiler - By Milan Luthria
Posted on - 12 Dec 2018
As the sun set at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on Sunday 9th December, all the talk was about the shock and awe that two top fillies winning earlier, had inspired. Ruffina had “met” the Sir Homi Mehta Sprint Challenge by breaking the course record and covering 1000 metres in 57.31 seconds, and La Rondine had lived up to her jockey “picking” her over her stablemate, by winning the Indian 1000 Guineas in only her second career start.
But there was another exciting whisper quickly doing the rounds…… the “Clash of the Titans” was round the corner next Sunday. The raiders from the south, the galloping grey SIR CECIL, and the brilliant bay STAR SUPERIOR, had just arrived into Mumbai and were getting a good night’s rest before starting their preparations for the Indian 2000 Guineas.
Like anything else, racing loves its stars – horses that win race after race, delighting their fans. This year the fans are divided between the two greats mentioned above, which is the ideal setting for a match race in the Guineas.
SIR CECIL, the grey son of Win Legend out of the mare Elusive Trust, trained by S. Padmanabhan and to be ridden by David Allan, is the property of Sarainaga Racing, the owners of the farm where he was born. They obviously saw something special in him from his weanling days and decided to “retain” him instead of selling him. He has vindicated their faith by remaining unbeaten in seven starts, winning six Group races including the Derby Bangalore and the Mysore Derby. He arrives in Mahalaxmi with a formidable reputation and a bank balance of 2.6 crores. Racegoers and sporting fans can’t wait to get their first glimpse of him.
The other star in this two hero potential blockbuster is aptly named STAR SUPERIOR. Belonging to the Poonawalla family and partners, he is also a home bred, by Excellent Art out of Ramjet. He is trained by Rajesh Narredu and will be ridden by local champion Suraj Narredu.
He was sold as a two year old, but his astute breeders kept a watchful eye on his progress, and sensing something sensational very early in his career, bought back a share in him. Just like SIR CECIL, he has not let them down, arriving in Mumbai after winning five of his eight starts, including the Shapoorji Pallonji Juvenile Colts Championship and more recently the Deccan Derby in Hyderabad. His bank balance stands at 1.89 crores.
The two have met twice before. In the Bangalore Colts Championship Stakes (Gr.1, 1600 metres) they seemed inseparable till SIR CECIL prevailed by a “head” over STAR SUPERIOR at the wire. In the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore (Gr.1, 2000 metres) STAR SUPERIOR ran just 3 lengths behind SIR CECIL.
Many jumped to the conclusion that they were inseparable over a mile (1600m)– that close was the fight.
Well, it’s the mile once again this coming Sunday, and the crowds are bound to throng Mahalaxmi for a rush of adrenaline as the two champions strive to give their best for their fans. It is difficult to pick one over the other, so may the best horse win and his fans cheer him home.
In addition, the RWITC is hosting the extremely popular STYLECRACKER BOROUGH on the weekend.
Entry is for all on purchase of a ticket.
Don’t miss it!
(The author is a Managing Committee member/ Steward of RWITC, and a horse enthusiast.)
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
