The Hindu : What the professionals say

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

Sport

Sport - Racing : Horse

What the professionals say

MUMBAI, MARCH 6. The Indian Turf Invitation Cup and the Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup are lined up for Sunday. Professionals air their views, bare their thoughts and reveal their hunches.

TRAINERS:

VINAYAK: Decent Proposal ran a notable third in the Bangalore Derby. I hope she builds on that here. But the ones to watch are Star Of Windsor, Psychic Flame and Estonia. I feel Algeciras, being such a versatile specimen, should hold a strong hand. Kanthara could be his nearest danger.

M. K. JADHAV: Psychic Flame has done everything right. She is the one to watch. It is hard to narrow your selection down to one particular horse since so many have equal chances. It could be one among the home-based.

PONNAPPA: Those who have done well in the Indian Derby will come out better. The Super Mile could be a close call.

VIJAY SINGH: The first four in the Indian Derby plus Adrian thrown in to the equation. It is touch and go between them. I hope Aretino will make them all run.

M. ESHWER: It looks quite open. I feel Lancaster is going over a trip of his relish. There are some milers of repute. It is tough race to predict.

IMTIAZ SAIT: I hope to "capture the moment." In his own way, The Polynesian will run a good race. Free Radical loves to race freely in front. I hope the pair will do well.

SANJAY KOLSE: The Indian Derby form is bound to reflect with minor changes here and there. I am confident Shamaal can cope with the demands of running the sprint and the Super Mile.

ALTAF HUSSAIN: I think Estonia should take a lot of beating. My hunch is that Algeciras is better suited to a mile than sprint.

C. D. KATRAK: Estonia is a top class filly. But a lot depends on how each one of those prime contenders perform on the day. Kanthara is tough as nails. There shouldn't be any problem for her handling two tough assignments.

SORAB JILLA: Amazing Strides ran a very good race in the Indian Derby, fifth not far away from the first four. I hope he runs a better race here. This race is one of many chances. It's anybody's race.

GANAPATHY: Star Of Windsor is shaping well. He won the Bangalore Derby in an emphatic fashion. I hope he comes out on top here. Glorious Colours won the Summer Derby. Had a slight setback after that. Her two mock races here were good. I give her as good a chance as any. For Name And Fame mile is his pet trip. The bunch is tough but I feel Name And Fame can pull it off.

M. P. JODHA: The Indian Derby line may well be reflected. Star Of Windsor stands out as a bright prospect. Algeciras holds a strong hand.

DARIUS BYRAMJI: Psychic Flame has been bang on target in the Calcutta Classics. Her Indian Derby victory was quite gutsy. I hope she retains that winning touch. Allies Serenade has been a bit disappointing but she can come into her own any time. Son Of Light is the better one of the two. I expect Attorney to run a good race as well.

SATHEESH: I am for Star Of Windsor. Name And Fame is gradually coming into his own. He could trouble the best.

ZADMAL SINGH: My filly Sprungli was a little over a length behind the Indian Derby winner Psychic Flame. She will run a great race. There will be a marginal change in tactics this time. It is quite open.

NETTO: Adrian is a much improved horse. He should be right there. Coral Gables is up against stiff opposition but he is a tough proposition.

ARJUN MANAGLORKAR: Estonia will probably dominate the finish. A difficult choice to make in the Super Mile.

DHARIWAL: It should again be between Psychic Flame and Estonia. It is either Algeciras or Kanthara.

V. DESHMUKH: Adrian is a late foal. A June foal. He showed his resilience in the Bangalore Derby. He has improved since then. I hope he strikes it rich. Red Orchid may be a little out of depth here. I feel Believer is a vastly improved horse.

DOMINIC: Invitation has an open look about it. Star Of Windsor, Estonia, Psychic Flame are all there in the equation. Believer has struck good form. It may be a big ask in this select company. I have faith in his ability.

JOCKEYS:

SHROFF: Psychic Flame is in great heart. She has to deal with another tough filly in Estonia but the one who can upset all calculations is Adrian. I feel he is the most improved of the lot. I think Lancaster is the horse. He is going over the right trip. More than any one the horse itself is so confused as what he is good at.

MALLESH NARREDU: I expect Estonia to turn the tables on Psychic Flame. My feeling is that Algeciras is that much easier to handle over a mile than a sprint. The trip also seems ideal to his style of running.

McCULLAGH: Decent Proposal's was an encouraging run in the Bangalore Derby. He is gradually coming into his own. The fillies which dominated the Indian Derby should again be considered as prime movers. I have a hunch that Kanthara is more at home over a mile.

Mrs. SILVA: Estonia is my choice. Coral Gables is a sturdy horse. He is up against class company but I expect him to do well.

B. PRAKASH: Star Of Windsor has given me a very good feel. I am happy with his workouts. Of course, he has to contend with two good fillies in Psychic Flame and Estonia. Name And Fame ran a suggestive race over a sprint. Mile goes well with him.

APPU: Red Orchid is well within himself. I hope he creates a flutter. Believer has shown marked improvement. This will be the most challenging one so far for him.

HARISH: Estonia has the best chance. Sprungli is my next best. It is an open race. Algeciras can perhaps pull it off. I hope Chilli Girl puts up a warm performance.

RAJENDRA: Sprungli's eye catching third in the Indian Derby cannot be lost sight of. She will be right there. Coral Gables should be given as good a chance as any in the field.

RONAN THOMAS: I understand that Glorious Colours is getting back to her best after a slight setback. I am confident she will trouble the best. I have absolutely no idea. It looks wide open.

BAJRANG SINGH: Like my trainer said, we could capture the moment. Frantic's gallant win in the last outing has renewed our hope.

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