The first "Blockbuster" weekend of the season is here.- By Milan Luthria
Posted on - 19 Dec 2019
The first “Blockbuster” weekend of the season is here.
By Milan Luthria
It’s time for a triple header at Mahalaxmi this weekend, with the Stylecracker Indian 1000 Guineas, the Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas, and the Sir Homi Mehta Sprint Challenge all promising a “paisa vasool” time at the races.
The two Guineas derive their names from an actual amount of a thousand/ two thousand English Guineas paid to the winners decades ago, and the Sprint Challenge is the only 1000 metre Group Race in India.
The “1000”, brings back fond memories of fabulous fillies such as Snow (Bezan Chenoy/ Pesi Shroff), Etna (Imtiaz Sait/ John Lowe), Potential Champion (Uttam Singh/ A. Barclay), Jacqueline (Pesi Shroff/ Richard Hughes) and Moonlight Romance (C. D. Katrak/ Richard Hughes), who won it in exemplary style.
The “2000” inspires flashes of turf greats like Royal Tern (B. K. Lagad/ K. Umrigar), Almanac (Nosher Cama/ G. Baxter), Astonish (Bezan Chenoy/ Aslam Kader), Exhilaration (Imtiaz Sait/ P. Shroff), Mystical (S. Ganapathy/ B.Prakash), Be Safe (M.Narredu/ Suraj Narredu) and Sir Cecil (S. Padmanabhan/ David Allan)
Apologies for some great names that I’ve missed out for the sake of brevity.
This year’s 1000 and 2000 wear an open look and patrons are bound to get great value for their bets.
The Sir. Homi Mehta Sprint Million is a tribute from the family with the oldest colours in Indian racing to their patriarch and patron of the turf of almost a hundred years ago.
Though Iron Age should dominate, he’s sure to face a stiff challenge from Clymene and Intense Stylist. With queen filly Ruffina clocking a brilliant 57.31 seconds last year, the stage is set for one of them to break the 57 second barrier.
So if speed, style, elegance and thrills are your thing, head to Mahalaxmi this weekend for all of it and more!
P. S. No jackets or ties required outside the paddock, but dress smart 
