Will Sait's Indian Classic drought end? - By Shailendra Awasthi TNN
Posted on - 17 Dec 2011
Will Sait’s Indian Classic drought end?
His Ward Pronto Pronto Looks Set
Shailendra Awasthi TNN
Mumbai: While the racing fraternity is expecting another thriller during the running of the Indian 2000 Guineas at the Mahalaxmi racecourse this Sunday, veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait will be looking to end his Indian Classic win drought which has stretched over half a decade now.
One of the most hardworking and respected trainers in the country today, Sait last won an Indian classic when filly Warsaw Pact won the Indian St Leger during the 2004-05 season.
This time his colt Pronto Pronto is running with a good chance and Sait has left no stone unturned in keeping the Pallon Mistry-owned contender in the pink of condition.
“He is in the right frame of fitness,” the 58-year-old trainer, who had started his independent training career in October 1977 after learning the ropes under Iraqi trainer Aziz Mahmoud for almost five-years, told TOI.
Pronto Pronto has done nothing wrong so far, winning four of his six career starts which includes the Kingfisher Derby and Colts Championships Stakes during the last Bangalore Summer Season and the Shapoorji Palllonji Breeeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship in the last Mumbai Season.
The only thing that could go against Pronto Pronto is his long layoff since winning the Bangalore Derby in July. “He is not a robust horse,” says Sait who has won over 60 classics at various centres in the country, including an impressive haul of 17 Indian classics, considered the pinnacle of Indian racing.
“I have learnt with experience that such horses perform better after a good rest and Pronto Pronto will be right there,” observed Sait who has always trained horses belonging to the top horse-owners in Indian racing and has been hugely followed by common punters with great trust.
Jockey Y Srinath, who has partnered Pronto Pronto, and will ride him on Sunday, said, “The layoff has helped the other horses in the race improve, but I am confident Pronto Pronto will beat them to the post.”
Incidentally, another Sait trained horse, Pronto Star, will also be running the race.
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