Balmoral Castle leaps into classic reckoning
Padmanabhan trained Balmoral Castle announced her arrival as a horse of classic potential when she held off Ordained One to win the Gr 3 Mysore Million which has traditionally served as a good lead up race for the forthcoming classics on Friday. Balmoral Castle showed amazing improvement since recording her maiden win hardly a fortnight ago and showed great maturity when racing with the pace setter and showing sparkling acceleration to leave the field standing. Ordained One’s powerful finish only served to add an element of excitement to the race. The well made daughter of Spartacus who was bred at the all conquering Sohna Stud Farm, will next race in the Mysore Guineas and if she does well, then progresses to have a go at the Derby.
The Mysore Million, run over a mile, has been won by quality horses. Two years ago, Icebreaker won this event and went on to become the Horse of the Year. The race attracted a quality field, with Aztec Gold who had run a close second behind classic hopeful Magisterial in Bangalore Summer Million was the firm favourite, having been a final entry for this race. Foreign Exchange had run an impressive fourth in the Kingfisher Derby and he too was in the fray as a final entry. Foreign Exchange had been re-located to Mysore quite early for this race and the progeny of Placerville had a good gate jump out to boost his credentials. These two were the market fancies, with Balmoral Castle who had put in an outstanding workout two days ago, being third in demand at longer odds.
Deep Blue Sky hit the front from the start with Balmoral Castle in close proximity followed by Braavo, Bucethalis, Ordained One, Aztec Gold and Foreign Exchange. The last two named took some time before they settled down to race in the rear. Aztec Gold is a known front runner but this time out; he tailed the field, in a slow run race.
Balmoral Castle sorted out Deep Blue Sky at the top of the straight and surged ahead. The filly shook off her rivals and broke clear with a furlong out. Ordained One took time to pick up speed and he came home with a big run to bridge the leeway to a shade less than a length at the finish. Foreign Exchange too finished on to take the third spot ahead of long time leader Deep Blue Sky. Braavo who slightly hampered the progress of Aztec Gold in the straight was fifth ahead of Aztec Gold who beat just one at the finish. Aztec Gold looked a beaten cause well before the field approached the final bend as he was off the bridle and unable to cover the leeway which kept expanding with each furlong.
Padmanabhan was obviously elated at the performance of Balmoral Castle who should have no problem to go up to a mile and quarter given her breading. ``The filly will be targeted in the classics ahead and I am confident that the horse will show more improvement given the fact that this was her fourth run.’’ Incidentally, Padmanabhan has won this race five times, the previous ones achieved through Moment of Glory, Berlioz, Queen Raania and Icebreaker.
Trainer Neil Darashah was totally displeased with the effort of jockey Suraj Narredu on Aztec Gold. ``I can tell you with conviction that Balmoral Castle can never ever hope to beat Aztec Gold in the future. I am quite shocked that Aztec Gold could not hit the front in such a slow run race. I am pretty unhappy with the way my horse was ridden’’. Incidentally, an enquiry has been opened into the running and riding of Aztec Gold. The trainer has informed the Stipes that jockey Suraj Narredu did not ride according to his instructions.
Ordained One who is a full brother to multiple graded race performer Noble Prince, should get his turn in the classics in monsoon if he retains the same zest. Foreign Exchange has often given hope but not fulfilled the expectation. He continues to be an enigma.
Yas Marina who won a handicap race over a mile in impressive fashion earlier in the day, will joint Balmoral Castle for the first classic of the season, the Mysore 1000 Guineas.
The Mysore Million, run over a mile, has been won by quality horses. Two years ago, Icebreaker won this event and went on to become the Horse of the Year. The race attracted a quality field, with Aztec Gold who had run a close second behind classic hopeful Magisterial in Bangalore Summer Million was the firm favourite, having been a final entry for this race. Foreign Exchange had run an impressive fourth in the Kingfisher Derby and he too was in the fray as a final entry. Foreign Exchange had been re-located to Mysore quite early for this race and the progeny of Placerville had a good gate jump out to boost his credentials. These two were the market fancies, with Balmoral Castle who had put in an outstanding workout two days ago, being third in demand at longer odds.
Deep Blue Sky hit the front from the start with Balmoral Castle in close proximity followed by Braavo, Bucethalis, Ordained One, Aztec Gold and Foreign Exchange. The last two named took some time before they settled down to race in the rear. Aztec Gold is a known front runner but this time out; he tailed the field, in a slow run race.
Balmoral Castle sorted out Deep Blue Sky at the top of the straight and surged ahead. The filly shook off her rivals and broke clear with a furlong out. Ordained One took time to pick up speed and he came home with a big run to bridge the leeway to a shade less than a length at the finish. Foreign Exchange too finished on to take the third spot ahead of long time leader Deep Blue Sky. Braavo who slightly hampered the progress of Aztec Gold in the straight was fifth ahead of Aztec Gold who beat just one at the finish. Aztec Gold looked a beaten cause well before the field approached the final bend as he was off the bridle and unable to cover the leeway which kept expanding with each furlong.
Padmanabhan was obviously elated at the performance of Balmoral Castle who should have no problem to go up to a mile and quarter given her breading. ``The filly will be targeted in the classics ahead and I am confident that the horse will show more improvement given the fact that this was her fourth run.’’ Incidentally, Padmanabhan has won this race five times, the previous ones achieved through Moment of Glory, Berlioz, Queen Raania and Icebreaker.
Trainer Neil Darashah was totally displeased with the effort of jockey Suraj Narredu on Aztec Gold. ``I can tell you with conviction that Balmoral Castle can never ever hope to beat Aztec Gold in the future. I am quite shocked that Aztec Gold could not hit the front in such a slow run race. I am pretty unhappy with the way my horse was ridden’’. Incidentally, an enquiry has been opened into the running and riding of Aztec Gold. The trainer has informed the Stipes that jockey Suraj Narredu did not ride according to his instructions.
Ordained One who is a full brother to multiple graded race performer Noble Prince, should get his turn in the classics in monsoon if he retains the same zest. Foreign Exchange has often given hope but not fulfilled the expectation. He continues to be an enigma.
Yas Marina who won a handicap race over a mile in impressive fashion earlier in the day, will joint Balmoral Castle for the first classic of the season, the Mysore 1000 Guineas.
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