There are four fillies in the 14-horse lineup for Sunday’s star event, the 2,400m Indian Turf Invitation Cup, which is the last of the major attractions during the virtual festival of racing.
The withdrawal of antepost favourite, War Hammer — because of a minor injury — has left the premier event wide open but the presence of two previous winners of the Invitation Cups, Desert God (David Allan) and Adjudicate (Y. S. Srinath), makes it that much competitive.
The past winners of the race apart, Star Superior (Suraj Narredu), Trouvaille (Nicky Mackay), Anjeze (Trevor Patel) and Juliette (Sandesh Akhade) are no push overs in the lineup.
Star Superior had gone down to Adjudicate in the previous edition of the race while the smallmade Anjeze and Juliette had to be sparingly raced. Trouvaille, on the other hand, faced with traffic problems in the Indian Derby.
My vote, however, goes for the young blood, enjoying weight advantage. Therefore, it may not come as a surprise if Karthik Ganapathy’s filly Juliette manages to pro¬duce her Indian Oaks’ run and beat the experienced lot.
In the Indian Derby, the Musketier daughter had placed a decent fourth. Sandesh’s bigrace temperament may also help Juliette’s cause.
SELECTIONS
2pm: Angelino 1. Mystic Flame 2. Roma Victor 3.
2.30pm: Mighty Red 1. Electra 2. Grey Channel 3.
3pm: Cuban Pete 1. Silver Dew 2. Dandi March 3.
3.30pm: Flying Visit 1. Snowdon 2. Awesome One 3.
4pm: Gift Of Grace 1. Prevalent Force 2. Cosmic Ray 3.
4.30pm: Juliette 1. Adjudicate 2. Star Superior 3.
5pm: Lacrosse 1. Vachan 2. General Patton 3.
5.30pm: Star Cavalry 1. Divine Hunt 2. Jameson 3.
Day’s Best: Cuban Pete Double: Juliette & Star Cavalry.
CORFE CASTLE TAKES ALL BY SURPIRSE
Expectations were high from the two fancied runners, Multifaceted and Iron Age, in the 1,200m Sprinter’s Cup, on Saturday. However, the pair only managed to tire themselves up a furlong from home. As a result of this, trainer L. D’Silva’s late finishing 8/1 shot, Corfe Castle (Sandeshup), took control of the race and scored over another out¬sider, Mauritania (David Allan). In fact, the cutting of each other’s pace had tired the two leaders so much that they failed to touch the board.
The 3,000m Stayers’ Cup, on the other hand, was claimed by trainer Suleiman Attaollahi’s 5/1 shot, Ambrosio, who was judicious¬ly ridden by the champion jockey Suraj Narredu.
RESULTS
(With RCTC dividends)
1. Madras Race Club Million 1,400m: (7-8-2) Sherwin (Suraj) 1, Allabouther 2, Code Of Honour 3. Not run: Mahalakshmi (11). Won by: Nk, 2-1/2; (1-23.11). Tote: Win Rs 18; Place: 11, 15, 17; Forecast: 74; Shp: 33; Thp: 48; Tanala: 187.
2. Dashmesh-Win Legend Million 1,400m: (1-9-6) Subah Ka Tara (Srinath) 1, Cerise Noir 2, Grand Tenton 3. Won by: Shd, 2-3/4; (1-21.83). Tote: Win Rs 133; Place: 35, 17, 63; Forecast: 928; Shp: 39; Thp: 158; Tanala: 7,366.
3. Hyderabad Race Club Million 1,400m: (14-13-2) Karadeniz (Trevor) 1, Notting Hill 2, Akita Pro 3. Not run: Ewandor (9). Won by: 2-3/4, 1-1/2; (1-21.87). Tote: Win Rs 47; Place: 19, 26, 19; Forecast: 417; Shp: 79; Thp: 66; Tanala: 2,377.
4. RWITC Million 1,800m: (11-4-9) Star Sapphire (Yash) 1, Brown Bess 2, Star Holiday 3. Won by: 3-1/4, 1-1/2; (1-48.83 - record). Tote: Win Rs 60; Place: 15, 38, 150; Forecast: 714; Shp: 112; Thp: 409; Tanala: 38,671.
5. Japan Million 1,200m: (12-16-3) Rapunzel (Chisty) 1, Gold Field 2, Brabourne 3. Not run: Tremendous (4). Won by: Hd, 2-3/4; (1-9.79). Tote: Win Rs 44; Place: 15, 24, 58; Forecast: 347; Shp: 73; Thp: 59; Tanala: 4,802.
6. Bangalore Turf Club Sprinters' Cup 1,200m: (3-7-4) Corfe Castle (Sandesh) 1, Mauritania 2, Intense Stylist 3. Won by: 1-3/4, 1/2; (1-8.79 — record. Tote: Win Rs 83; Place: 20, 28, 26; Forecast: 2,304; Shp: 82; Thp: 40; Tanala: 11,957.
7. Dr M.A.M.Ramaswamy Stayers' Cup 3,000m: (1-4-5) Ambrosio (Suraj) 1, Point To Prove 2, Raees 3. Not run: Royal Crystal (9). Won by: 2-1/4, Lnk; (3-11 — record). Tote: Win Rs 42; Place: 19, 26, 20; Forecast: 225; Shp: 51; Thp: 62; Tanala: 2,561.
8. Delhi Race Club Million 1,200m: (6-13-5) Lagopus (A. Imran) 1, Power Of Thea 2, Donna Bella 3. Not run: Star Atrium (4), Domitia (7), Good Opinion (8) & Octavius (15). Won by: 2-1/4, 1-1/2; (1-10.21). Tote: Win Rs 31; Place: 20, 23, 18; Forecast: 198; Shp: 57; Thp: 64; Tanala: 1,101.
Jackpot: Rs 2,54,254 (Carried over); (C) Rs 54,613.
Mini jackpot: Rs 13,935.
Treble: (i) Rs 2,004; (ii) Rs 1,527; (iii) Rs 5,834.