Forest Flair has an edge but an upset is not ruled out

The Gr 1 Vandrevala Foundation Sprinters Cup has traditionally been a graveyard for favourite though in the last two editions of the race, all time sprinting sensation Oasis Star changed this trend. However, in the 2010 edition of this race, there are no super star n the fray. On current form, Karthik Ganapathy trained Forest Flair has an edge over the opposition.

The speedy son of Diffident out of Tide of Fortune Forest Flair has done everything right leading to this race. The dam of Tide of Fortune herself was a top class sprinter and was fancied to win the Sprinters Cup several years ago at Hyderabad . Forest Flair won the Dr S C Jain Sprinters Cup which has been a big pointer for this race, holding off the threat of Sea Star and Portrush. Forest Flair has always done just enough to win and as such, his wins have never been spectacular. He is endowed with a tremendous burst of speed and it is this trait which is going to help him as he makes his rally from behind in what is going to be a fast run race.

Sea Ruler lost narrowly to Forest Flair and he is surely going to be formidable with Richard Hughes to guide his fortunes. Sea Ruler ran behind Jacqueline in the Indian 2000 Guineas and made a successful switch back in trip. He is in fine shape and this son of E Dubai will surely prove a handful.

Padmanabhan trained Palazzio’s Sun is the only horse in India to make Oasis Star exert herself in the last edition of the Sprinters Cup. The speedy son of Placerville out of Palazzio who herself narrowly missed the Sprinters Cup twice, has not run since October as he had a setback. However, he has been nursed back to fitness and his mock race at Bangalore in the company of Celestial Way was very impressive. Since he has the class, he can pull it off if the lack of a race run is not going to hurt his chances.

D’Artagnan has been somewhat of an enigma. He lost a possible chance of winning when he was getting chunks of weight from Forest Flair. D’Artagnan ran fourth in the Dr S C Jain Sprinters Cup but there is no denying the fact that on his day, he can be unpredictable.

The last few wins of Sprint Star have come over a mile and it remains to be seen whether he is able to translate his undoubted talent into winning performance over a sprint where he does not have enough experience. Diamond Hunter has been consistent and can cause a flutter. Red Romeo adds to the competitive element of the race.

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