Captivating should deliver the goods

We are just a fortnight away from the first classic of the Bangalore Summer Season, the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes. Quiet a few good quality horses have served notice of their potential in the period that the summer season took off to now. All horses which are likely to run in the premier event have had their preparatory runs.

The Kunigal Stud Farm appears to be firing on all cylinders. They have a strong contender in Captivating who is a winner of four races. The speedy daughter of Burden of Proof relishes the mile long trip very well. She is in pink of condition and anyone hoping to win the classic, will have to first go past her.

The got-abroad filly Astral Flash, also owned by Dr Vijay Mallya, but trained by Pesi Shroff, has shown great improvement since her arrival from Mumbai. Astral Flash had beaten Captivating by a whisker at Mumbai but the latter was at that time victim of a bad ride. There is no doubt that Astral Flash is an improving time and has taken to local conditions very well. However, her trainer Shroff believes that Astral Flash does not like the cut in the ground.

Another got abroad filly from Mumbai, also trained by Pesi Shroff, Jacqueline, ran third to Mumbai’s best three-year old Versaki in the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million. She was given the feel of the local track in a mock race last Sunday. She showed out in that race and she should be the that can be considered if one is looking for an upset.

There is also one more talented filly but whether she would be in the line up or not is not sure at this time of time. Gypsy Magic who finished a good second at Mumbai despite going wide at the final and racing on the outer rail against Versaki has plenty of ability except that she is temperamental. It is quite possible that she may miss this race and go for a lead up race before she runs in the Derby.

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