PAST THE POST - A Review of the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 05 Dec 2019
PAST THE POST – A Review of the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy
By Cyrus Naterwalla
The Maharaja of Morvi Trophy has long been one of the most prestigious races at the beginning of the Mumbai Racing season and has also served as one of the lead up races before the 1st two Indian Classics. The race has also however, long borne the “hoodoo tag” and it is a racing superstition that the winner of the Morvi seldom goes on to win an Indian Classic. This year’s renewal promised to be a mouth watering prelude of things to come ahead with 2 of the strongly fancied runners for the Indian 2000 Guineas locking horns for the first time in a sort of heat or trial before the main event. Sitting atop the role of honour was the unbeaten Sultan Suleiman – an impressive winner of both his starts till date and showing a remarkable attitude on just his 2nd start when getting the better of Pune Derby winner Trouvaille in the S.A. Poonawalla Million over a mile. He skipped the Pune Derby with a small setback and was having his first start in almost 3 months but looked relatively fit and well in the paddock. The other unbeaten runner was the Pesi Shroff trained got abroad gelding Alexei, who was held in very high regard by his connections and had also scored an impressive maiden win over a mile in his only previous start, easily accounting for Hokkaido by 5 lengths. He was expected to improve considerably from his debut run but was taking a considerable step up in grade. He did not catch the eye in the pre parade ring though, looking slightly on the dry side but was very well supported on the course. These two appeared to be well ahead of the other three and were strongly fancied in the market. Next in the reckoning came the tiny grey filly Juliette sporting the famous gold and brown silks of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy who was returning from an extended absence, having last raced in the Poonawalla Breeders’ Million way back in February where she had finished an eye catching 4th to Missing You, not too far behind the likes of Hunt for Gold and Trouvaille. On that form she clearly deserved her place in the line up and Colm O’ Donoghue had been flown down to take the ride. Such was the confidence in her that her rider was over carrying a massive 3 ½ kilos which gains extra emphasis in a Terms race. In spite of the long absence though she looked quite well in the paddock and did receive some support as well. Rounding up the field were Storm Breaker, a 6 furlong specialist who had run poorly on both his previous starts at 7 furlongs and Dreams, a maiden winner who looked like she was looking to pick up valuable stake money.
Sultan Suleiman opened the 65/100 favourite on the opening show but was at 10/8 on the course and gradually drifted out at 13/10 before the off as Alexei was solidly backed in from 9/4 to 7/4 and Juliette was also nibbled at double figure prices coming in from 11/1 to 9/1. The 5 runners broke to a lovely even dispatch from the stalls and Trevor wasted no time in taking Alexei to the front to lead narrowly from Sultan Suleiman travelling strongly in 2nd spot with Storm Breaker settling back into 3rd after jumping out well and restrained on the fence by Nathan Evans to conserve his stamina for the additional furlong. 2 ½ lengths away came Juliette racing on an even keel in 4th with Dreams a close last at this juncture. Alexei continued to hold a length’s advantage over Sultan Suleiman as they approached the bend with Storm Breaker now moving up along the fence to share 2nd, Juliette still 2 lengths further away and Dreams now dropping to 2 lengths behind the other four. Alexei continued to travel well into the straight maintaining a length and three quarters over Storm Breaker now trying to challenge in the centre with Sultan Suleiman being asked for an effort on the outside but not getting into top stride immediately. Juliette began to make up ground along the inside now to come into contention and Dreams still 2 lengths away. Alexei came off the bridle about 300M from home and still had a handy lead at the furlong pole but he began to tire and wander a bit in the closing stages and Trevor had to go for the stick as Juliette came with a good looking run in the middle and Sultan Suleiman also beginning to close on the outside. Juliette swooped through to take charge entering the final 100M and was not fully extended to score a stunning upset over the two big colts. Sultan Suleiman began to gallop as the line approached and finished on well to snatch 2nd from the tiring Alexei who ended up a disappointing 3rd. The front three pulled a long way clear of Dreams who ran on to finish 4th while Storm Breaker dropped away to finish last of the quintet.
Juliette made a terrific comeback after such a long absence and in spite of over carrying 3 ½ kilos and should not have been at such a long price considering her past form. A fine training effort from Karthik and she definitely enters the 1000 Guineas picture with both Missing You and Hunt for Gold coming a cropper in their lead ups. Being a small filly, she just needs to be kept fresh for the next 3 weeks and it would be no surprise to see her claim the Fillies crown.
While Sultan Suleiman was expected to win comfortably, connections do not have reason to despair as it was his first run in 3 months and he also took his time to get going. He is likely to relish the additional furlong, should strip fitter from this run and still looks a leading contender for the Indian 2000 Guineas where he will renew his rivalry with Trouvaille.
The same however cannot be said for Alexei as he was receiving 3 kilos from Sultan Suleiman today and while he too is likely to improve, it looks hard for him to reverse the form at level weights unless Pesi Shroff can work some of his magic within the next 3 weeks.
Storm Breaker is clearly not in this league and also is not suited by the 7 furlong trips and will do well to revert back to 6 furlong handicaps and the same can be said of Dreams who ran respectably in the circumstances.
Please Comment Below
