- By Cyrus Naterwalla
In the absence of the Indian 2000 Guineas winner Sir Cecil who is currently the victim of plenty of rumours and speculation that all is not well with him, this race looked like the virtual cake walk for the runner up that day Star Superior who had finished a gallant 2nd making the Champion Grey pull out all the stops to prevail. Only 4 runners lined up to face the showy colt from Rajesh Narredu's yard – 2 of them having finished behind him in the Indian 2000 Guineas. Sacred Roman trained by Pesi Shroff had finished 3rd 6 ¾ lengths adrift while Awesome One, who finished 4th was 3 ¼ lengths further adrift. The unknown quantity in the race was the unbeaten Tasawwur who had won both his starts over middle distances impressively and was now being stepped up markedly in grade. Completing the line up was the virtual no hoper Cavarozzi, who ostensibly may have been entered to ensure a strong pace for Sacred Roman but looked to have very little form to recommend his chances. With Y.S. Srinath unable to catch his flight to Mumbai, Leigh Roche was declared to ride on Sacred Roman. In the paddock, all the 4 colts looked well muscled and raring to go, particularly the two large horses Star Superior and Sacred Roman while Awesome One too looked fit and on his toes as did Tasawwur and only Cavarozzi looked out of his depth in the preliminaries as well. Bookmakers quoted Star Superior at miserly odds of 10/4 on with only Sacred Roman attracting some support at 7/1. The 5 runners broke to an even dispatch from the mile and a quarter barrier and surprisingly to many, it was Sacred Roman who surged ahead to set up his own pace to Cavarozzi racing in 2nd spot with Star Superior settling into 3rd being chased by Awesome One 3- 4 lengths away as they raced in single file down the back stretch and Sandesh content to let Tasawwur bowl along at the rear of the field. The pace was a strong one as they raced towards the turn with the field well strung out and Sacred Roman gradually began to up the tempo and increased his lead to over 5 lengths passing the 600 with Cavarozzi being pushed along in 2nd, Star Superior sensing the urgency and beginning to improve and both Awesome One and Tasawwur being niggled along by their riders a couple of lengths away.
Sacred Roman entered the straight with a 6 length break over Star Superior now being asked for an effort by Suraj Narredu and beginning to close the gap with Cavarozzi struggling towards the inside, and Awesome One and Tasawwur both flat out and also looking to be in trouble. Sacred Roman came under pressure midway up the straight but kept staying on under that pressure and it was clear that Star Superior was in for a fight. To his credit he began to eat up ground with his powerful stride once asked for an effort. Sacred Roman still had a 3 length break at the furlong pole but was now searching for the line as Star Superior kept whittling into the lead with Suraj alternating between the stick and a strong drive. Star Superior was clearly traveling the better of the pair with 100M to run but he needed every yard of the trip to get his head in front barely 2 strides from the post eventually prevailing by half a length. Sacred Roman was gallant in defeat ending up a praiseworthy 2nd with the pair pulling a long way clear of the rest. Tasawwur stayed on to finish 3rd with Awesome One ending a faraway 4th.
While Star Superior eventually won on his class he was made to work really hard over the extra 400M and the difference of almost 7 lengths was reduced to only half a length. Over the additional 400M of the Derby trip, connections of the runner up would be hopeful of reversing the form. Sacred Roman appears to be improving and peaking at just the right time. He is likely to run a very big race in the Indian Derby and is expected to improve further. Tasawwur found this step up in Grade too steep at this early stage in his career and understandably was found wanting. He looks likely to return to handicap company for now and can win more races. Awesome One appeared to be a non stayer and should also revert back to handicaps and probably drop back in distance as well.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
