B R Sharan Kumar

It was dream come true for trainer Neil Darashah as he led in his maiden classic winner through Youre So Beautiful who brought off a big upset in the Fernhill’s Palace Bangalore 1000 Guineas, the first classic of the season on Saturday. For a trainer who took up the reins from his father Zareer Darashah hardly two years ago, the classic success coming so early in his career is a tribute to his hard works as also for his confidence in his wards. Youre So Beautiful was a rank outsider as Gypsy Magic was considered near invincible but in keeping with the uncertainties of the sport, Youre So Beautiful won against the run of expectations. Jockey Suraj Narredu rode a peach of a race on the winner. Gypsy Magic had all the credentials to win the first classic of the season as the filly had run behind some of the best horses in the country. But quite strangely, trainer Padmanabhan chose to entrust the horse to Appu who hasn’t been enjoying good success after a nasty fall a year ago and especial...

The Karnataka High Court on Monday admitted a Public Interest Litigation against Karnataka Government’s move to allot 95 acres of tank bed land at Chikkajala for purpose of relocating the existing new course which is in the heart of the city. Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has time and again made it abundantly clear that the government was in no mood to extend the existing lease of land beyond the expiry date of December 31, 2009 and that the government was willing to give 95 acres of land at the disputed area and one year’s time for the infrastructure to come up. While the Bangalore Turf Club has filed a writ petition against the government for asking it to relocate without reasonable guarantees, the new development may stall the process for a while. Environmentalists had approached the Supreme Court against the government’s move to convert tank bed for commercial activity, the highest court in the country had directed the petitioners to approach the High Court for redress as it concerned...

Even as Indians were busy buying at the Goff’s Bloodstock sales, one of the pregnant mares purchased at the sales three years ago, had a classic winner through Celestial Way who won the Gr 2 Golconda 1000 Guineas at Hyderabad on Sunday. The Kunigal Stud Farm produce is the daughter of Orpen out of Just Heavens Wait (Slip Anchor). Celestial Way is trained by S Padmanabhan and owned by Dr Vijay Mallya whose United Racing And Bloodstock Breeders Private Ltd runs the Kunigal Stud Farm. . Most of the leading breeders of India made purchases at this year’s Goff Sales which concluded on Sunday. Over 50 pregnant mares have been bought at the sales by well known names like Zavaray Poonawalla and Dr Vijay Mallya whose representatives made the bidding. Nirmal Singh of Hazara Stud Farm also made a number of purchases. The Hazara Stud Farm is making a serious attempt to have a big splash on Indian racing. They have a collection of over 50 got abroad mares bought from the Goffs in the last two years...

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Kyles of Bute brought off a stunning upset in the Dariya Daulat Trophy, a seven furlong race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday’s races. Favourite Red Renegade appeared to be traveling well when he brought the field into the straight with a few lengths advantage but he shortened his strides and finished a dismal last. The reason for Red Renegade’s abrupt end to his chances was because of the fact that he burst his blood vessels. Kyles of Bute picked up speed in the final furlong despite drifting out and edged past a tiring Silken Thomas close home to bring off a big upset. Fire Zone picked up all but one from way behind to take the runner up spot. Red Renegade was the favourite as he was at a tidy handicap mark though he was running in the highest class. The big made Red Renegade was bound to find the underfoot conditions have an adverse effect on his performance but the way he was striding out in front, it looked as though he might ...

Dhariwal trained Six Shooter looks a cut above the rest and should be a safe bet in Saturday's Bangalore races. The speedy son of Burden of Proof, Six Shooter is a good type of a horse and the soft underfoot conditions enhances his chances. Red Renegade also should win though the big made son of Placerville may find the underfoot conditions to his dislike. First of a Legend and Soberano are worth considering for a minor bet.

Friday's races at Bangalore will be lackluster, with competitive element absent. D'Artagnan looks a cut above the rest and should win without much fuss. In the same way, Alviano who made his only run a winning one in summer, had beaten horses which have subsequently won in impressive fashion. Despite the many niggles that he has suffered, he should romp home given the poor quality of opposition he is taking on. Winning picking is difficult but if one has to satisfy the urge to put some money out, Vayuputra and Star Speed can be considered as marginal bets.

The long winding Mumbai Season will commence on Sunday, November 22. With the weather clearing off, a nine event card has been framed for the opening day, with the first race commencing at 1.30 p.m. The season which has attracted new sponsors, will also feature the Indian Turf Invitation Cup weekend races. Racegoers can hope for some exciting action.

The Bangalore Turf Club which is under notice from several government agencies to vacate the existing premises at the expiry of the lease on December 31, 2009, has been hard pressed to protect its interests. The turf club seems to have got an unexpected helping hand in the form of a letter from the Secretary of Environment and Forest Department, Government of India. The Secretary’s letter makes it clear that unless suitable accommodation is provided to house the over 1000 horses stabled in BTC premises, the status quo should be maintained failing which it will attract the provision of the Animal Protection Act. Mr. D Rajashekar, Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forest, has said in his letter to the PWD Department and Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Karnataka, that the proposed relocation of horses sheltered at BTC premises has to be done as per the provisions of the act. The Secretary has brought to the notice of the government the letter written by BESC...

Bourbon Bay, who went into the Kempe Gowda Cup which featured Saturday’s races with the benefit of a race run and the experience of having matched strides with seasoned campaigners, profited by the twin advantage and got the measure of front running Lady Duff close home. Though rains had eased off in the last few days, the water beneath the surface made the going sticky and as such, the inexperienced Optimus Prime who enjoyed favoritism on the basis of his smashing debut win in summer, was found wanting and finished a tame third. However, Optimus Prime should graduate as a good performer after this tough run. Optimus Prime was backed to the exclusion of his rivals. Angelfire has never been a model of consistency and as such, the drift in her price was not against the run of expectations. Bourbon Bay, who was coming back in distance, was expected to find the sprint sharp for comfort though both his wins in the past had come over six furlongs. Despite having the distinction of beating th...

Not all race horse breeders in India are as qualified as Ameeta Mehra. She has excellent academic credentials to run a stud farm of the magnitude of Usha Stud Farm. She has also inherited the requisite skills from her legendary father Maj P K Mehra who initially set up the stud farm in his own backyard before taking it to dizzy heights. Today Usha Stud Farm stands for excellence, achieved through careful selection of its stallions, broodmares and excellent upbringing which has taken Indian breeding to a different level. Ameeta Mehra as the Managing Director of India's leading stud farm Usha Stud Farm has single-handedly shaped the destiny of the stud farm ever since the mantle fell on her following the death of her mother and father Maj P K Mehra's in an unfortunate helicopter crash at the turn of the century. Ameeta has been unsparing in her efforts to keep the stud farm at the top. The many awards that have come her way are a testimony to the commitment and dedication for the...

Optimus Prime goes into the race with great expectations to win the Kempe Gowda Trophy which features Saturday’s races in Bangalore and will probably run as a strong favourite. But the fact remains that the latter is a more seasoned performer and both his wins have come over six furlongs only. Bourbon Bay has also beaten Gypsy Magic over a six furlong trip during the winter season. Spark of Marchador is another safe bet followed by Criminal Lawyer. Caprioska has to beat Lock And Load but is a safe place bet.

Express Wish, winner of the 2008 Gr3 KBC Supreme Stakes has been acquired to stand at Mebajeona Stud Farm in Punjab. Express Wish is by champion sire Danehill Dancer who has proved his credentials as a champion sire as well as a sire of sires. He is by the mighty Danehill. Danehill Dancer has produced early winners who have matured well as three and four-year olds in both hemispheres. In 2009 alone he sired Gr1 winners, Mastercraftsman (St. James Palace Stakes, Gr.1, Irish 2000 Guineas, Gr1), Again (2009 Boylesports.com Irish 1000 Guineas, Gr1), Alfred Noble (2009 Phoenix Stakes, Gr1) amongst a host of other Group winners. He is now establishing himself as a sire of sires with sons like Choisir (sire already of a Gr1 winner), Where Or When making their presence felt. With Jeremy getting good previews, Danehill Danceer’s position as a sire of sires is well assured. Danehill Dancer has already sired innumerable Gr 1 winners. Express Wish, won three races from five to seven furlongs on go...

Tipperary Boutique’s facile win in a maidens race over seven furlongs in Britain on October 31 is cause for cheer for Alpha Stud Farm which imported the winner’s mare Moselle who was in foal to European Horse of the Year Dylan Thomas. Tipperary Boutique won in her second start. She is a half sister to Leitmotiv and is the fifth foal of Moselle (Mtoto). Moselle who is currently housed at Kunigal Stud Farm in Karnataka has a yearling colt. Moselle was bought at last year’s Goff’s Pregnant Mares Sales by trainer S Padmanabhan who also has a bloodstock company called Radiant Bloodstock. Padmanabhan is a leading trainer in India, having won over 12 group races and 10 races worth a million in the last one year. Padmanabhan has also specialized in training horses conceived abroad and foaled in India. India’s Horse of the year Zurbaran who won the Gr 1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup in the past was one among the many top horses trained by Padmanabhan. The current three-year old sensation Becket (H...

Gypsy Magic raced like a seasoned performer and did not show the temperamental inadequacies that had characterized her runs in the past. For the second time running, she raced keen, ran straight as an arrow, did not fight for her head or show the tendency to run out or claustrophobic qualities when running in a crowded field which had characterized her performance prior to winning the Bangalore Summer Million. Gypsy Magic showed immense maturity when winning the Punjab Stud Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 85, over a mile long trip on Saturday. She won in smashing fashion despite conceding weight to her adversaries in difficult underfoot conditions. The fact that his temperamental daughter of Placerville has been brought back to classic contention is a tribute to its trainer Padmanabhan who has painstakingly sorted out the problems. Though her full brothers Smart Chieftain, Classical Act and Southern Empire have been multi-classic winners, their full sisters had never performed to...

The small made daughter of Orpen, Celestial Way waged a stiff battle and managed to edge past Aristos in the dying moments of the race to win the 1400 metres Rajyotsava Trophy, a terms race for three-year olds and over, the main event of opening day’s races of the Bangalore Winter Season on Friday. Celestial Way was taking a quantum jump in class as she was taking on higher rated horses but this race served as a perfect lead up race for the forthcoming Bangalore 1000 Guineas. The Kunigal Stud Farm produce, Celestial Way vindicated the confidence of her trainer Padmanabhan by her splendid performance and she has thus advertised her readiness to make an impact in the first classic of the season. Aristos, who had won a seven furlong race at Mysore in record timing, was certainly no pushover. Since jockey Suraj Narredu who had the option to ride either of them, had chosen Celestial Way, the latter attracted more attention in the ring though close to race time Aristos too came in for spirit...

Gypsy Magic stormed home in her last run in the Bangalore Summer Million, getting the better of Fleet Indian who subsequently went on to win the Mysore Derby. As such, Gypsy Magic, despite having to concede weight to some good type of horses like Bourbon Bay who has beaten her in the past and Oban, should manage pull it off. Cruising on all counts appears a good bet in the Air Force Trophy. But Cruising has raced so many times after her impressive over sprint but over longer trips. She has been brought back to the same trip. However, she has a threat emanating in the form of One Track Minded who was a smashing winner at Mysore in her last start. Though Captivating is running over a sprint for the first time, she should prevail on her class. If she falters for any reason, Edmondo will be the beneficiary. Edmondo has shown improvement after being slapped with blinkers. Raptor Force and She’s A Lady are worth a consideration. The latter has been fancied ahead of Calypso Star if only becau...

M P Mahaesh trained Systematic found one better on three occasions. The small made talented daughter of Steinbeck has plenty of ability and she should break the jinx in the 1400 metres race that she is entered on the opening day of Bangalore Winter races. The highly rated Arabian Prince, despite running over a shorter trip, may make things exciting. Celestial Way is being thrown to the deep end. She has a fight on her hands. Aristos won a seven furlong race at Mysore in record timing in impressive fashion despite having to change course at a crucial stage of the race. However, Suraj Narredu has preferred to go with Celestial Way. The speedy daughter of Orpen, Celestial Way was a smashing winner over an identical trip in summer. Celestial Way was an orphan foal and such horses generally take longer to come out of the trauma of having lost the mother at birth. Celestial Way’s run at Mysore was below par and if one ignores that run as not reflecting the potential of the got abroad filly, ...

The Bangalore Winter Season which is extended by two days will be a 34-day affair and will start n earnest from Friday. Though there is uncertainty about the lease of race course premises being extended by the government beyond December 31, 2009, there should be no problems in seeing through the winter season. The Managing Committee of the club moved a resolution Monday evening to withdraw the case filed against the government in High Court but it may take a while for one to get a clear picture as the members of the club are opposed to such a move, having authorized the club to take the matter to the court to protect the interests of the club and get a good bargain in terms of the extent of land allocated and the financial help from the government. The winter season has an exciting quality to it if only because of the induction of fresh batch of horses into racing. The two-year olds which will be making their debut in racing have always provoked added interest in the season if only bec...

The Bangalore Turf Club managing committee did a swift reverse flip on Monday under pressure from government nominees to move a resolution to sign the agreement for lease of land at the disputed Chikkajala tank bed area and also to withdraw the case filed in the High Court against the government’s move to evict them from the existing premises at the expiry of the lease on December 31, 2009. The High Court had heard BTC counsel on Monday and had posted December 14 as the next day for hearing after issuing notices to the government departments. A meeting of the Managing Committee was convened on Monday to discuss the problems arising out of the reported outbreak of equine disease in the army breeding establishments at Uttar Pradesh and the subsequent ban imposed on movement of horses and personnel to North India, especially UP. However, the elected members of the managing committee were taken by surprise when Principal Secretary to the Finance Department and the Police Commissioner who a...

The Karnataka High Court on Monday heard the Writ Petition filed by Bangalore Turf Club against being evicted from the existing premises on December 31, 2009. The government of Karnataka had served notice to the Bangalore Turf Club to vacate the existing premises at the expiry of lease deed and had made it clear that it is not considering any extension of time. The High Court has posted December 14 as the next date of hearing. The court has issued notices to the government to file its reply in three weeks time. The Government of Karnataka had issued repeated notices to BTC to comply with its notice. The government had agreed to allot about 95 acres of land at Chikkajala which is being disputed as tank bend and the existing rules exclude use of tank bend for racing or commercial activity. The BTC Special General Body had authorized the Managing Committee to approach court for redress. Secretary of Karnataka Racehorse Owners’ Association Arvind Raghavan said that the High Court has said ...

The NHBSI and NRCE have made it clear that there is no outbreak of any infectious disease pertaining to breeding establishments in Northern India. The NHBSI President F F Wadia has issued two clarifications in two days, stressing that there is no need to take any panic reaction and the situation is as normal as it was a few days ago. His clarification is a clear signal to turf clubs in the country which had issued advisory against traveling to breeding establishments in Northern India to withdraw the same before it could cause further harm to the interests of breeders. The confusion and panic was the result of the letter written by Secretary of National Horse Breeding Society of India Shivlal Daga about the possibility of a contagious disease having affected army’s breeding establishments. The panic is still to die down despite the clarifications issued by both NHBSI and NRCE. The turf clubs are yet to act on the clarifications and as a result, owners and trainers intending to visit st...