Sir Cecil and Adjudicate gear up for a battle royale on Sunday
Mohit Lalvani / TOI
THERE’S a frenzy building around a mega battle to be determined this Sunday. It’s a battle of the sexes and India’s fastest will match strides against each other for horse racing’s biggest prize, the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby.
In the blue corner, is a grey colt called ‘Sir Cecil’, named after one of the greatest race horse trainers of the modern era, and one who has done justice to his namesake with his accomplishments. Unbeaten in eight starts, ‘Sir Cecil’ has not just beaten his rivals but has demolished them in a manner that is now drawing comparisons with the best. While he clearly has the record to brush shoulders with the greats, he won’t enter that illustrious hall of fame if he fails to win on Sunday. Most believe he can’t lose but over the past three months a thoroughbred, one who is of the fairer sex, has emerged to ask questions that ‘Sir Cecil’ will need to answer.
She stands in the red corner and is called ‘Adjudicate’. Based out of Kolkata, she has won her last three starts with such authority that many believe she’s not just a pretender to the throne, but is a princess awaiting her coronation. She’s travelled well from Kolkata to Mumbai and has demonstrated an acceleration that may prove telling in the long straight as she targets ‘Sir Cecil’ in the run to the wire. With close to Rs. 2 crore in stake money, there is plenty to race for. In fact, this could easily be richest sports event per minute.
This fourth year of the Indian Derby will be extra special. A two-day horse-racing carnival begins on Saturday the 2nd of February with an evening of night racing against the backdrop of live entertainment that will include Forefront and DJ Chico not mention gourmet food trucks.
Many will stake their skill to win the Rs. 1 crore jackpot while others will simply enjoy the racing carnival. Whatever it is, all will witness the crowning of an ultra-athlete and, win, lose or draw, they will all tell the tale of how a great champion won or lost India’s biggest horse race for days to come long after the dust has settled.
