Star Superior a threat to Sir Cecil -By Shailendra Awasthi | TOI
Posted on - 14 Dec 2018
Star Superior a threat to Sir Cecil
-By Shailendra Awasthi | TOI
Mumbai : Though it looks like Sir Cecil is poised to reduce the prestigious Indian 2000 Guineas to a one-horse race this Sunday, if there are a few people who doubt that outcome, young trainer Rajesh Narredu is one of them.
Rajesh has good reason to hold his opinion because his ward Star Superior certainly has it in him to turn the tables on mighty Sir Cecil. A winner of five out of eight starts, Star Superior has finished second on the other three occasions.
Both are Bengaluru challengers and both have clashed twice before — the first time over a mile where Star Superior lost at the wire, and later over 2000m where Sir Cecil won by a good three lengths. The Indian 2000 Guineas is going to be a 1600 metre race and that gives a lot of hope to Rajesh. “That I believe is optimum distance for my colt,” Rajesh told TOI on Friday. “In fact, Star Superior holds the record for the best timing over 1600m at Mahalaxmi track. He won Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts’ Championship last year here with a timing of one minute and 35.77 seconds,” the 32-year-old informed.
Star Superior has also displayed great form in the morning workout at the Mahalaxmi racecourse since his arrival from Bengaluru last Saturday. “I am extremely pleased with his work and if things go as per our plan, Star Superior can walk away with honours on Sunday,” said the man who has won three classics in his four-year-old career.
Rajesh says Star Superior has the temperament of a classic winner. “He has every quality that a trainer wishes for in a horse. He is big, calm and is very obedient. He has done everything he has been asked to do so far in a race,” said Rajesh who comes from a family of top racing professionals and has completed 49 wins so far, hoping, of course, Star Superior can provide him with his 50th career win.
Star Superior’s owners, too, are hopeful of beating Sir Cecil on Sunday. “We know Sir Cecil is a great horse, but racing is a game of uncertainties and we have the next best contender in the race,” opined Zavaray Poonawalla, co-owner of Star Superior.
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