Becket wins President of India Gold Cup in record time

The victory of Padmanabhan trained Becket in the Gr 1 President of India Gold Cup, the star event of Sunday’s races, was a foregone conclusion as he had beaten a similar set of opponents when conceding weight in the Nizam’s Cup. The only problem with Becket has been the ability of the jockeys riding him to make him relax in the early part and let the horse do the rest in the later part of the race. Jockey Srinath who replaced Suraj Narredu who is under suspension was an ideal foil as he sat still with Becket in the rear before gradually improving places in the straight. Becket took what appeared a difficult gap and then sped away for an effortless win and was eased up long way from home to check in record time of two minutes 32.29 seconds fractionally improving the record of Arabian Knight who had won this event a few years ago. This was the third win for trainer Padmanabhan in this premier event and he had earlier won this event through Zurbaran and Running Flame.

Becket was quoted at cramped price which was justified. Stable mate Polish Patriot took over the job of a pace setter as the field was dispatched for the mile and half trip, followed by Leave It To Me, Fleet Indian, Arabian Prince, with Becket bringing the tail end of the field. The order remained more or less the same till the final quarter mile. At this point, Becket who had improved his position was only waiting for a signal from his pilot to take off. When he saw a gap opening in front of him between Polish Patriot and Leave It To Me, he went for it with amazing alacrity and then when Srinath drove him out, he lengthened his strides to leave the field standing. Polish Patriot ran on to finish second ahead of Fleet Indian who held off Arabian Prince and Leave It To Me for the third spot.

Polish Patriot was a highly thought of horse but a splint bone fracture kept him off the track for one year. Now that he has bounced back, he should make his mark in terms races where he will be well off at weights. Local lad Arshad Asbar rode a sensible race on him, not tearing away and expending his energies. He set a sensible pace which was what enabled the got abroad colt to finish second best. There was an objection by the rider of Fleet Indian against Polish Patriot for interference which was overruled. Bekcet, who thus recorded his third Group I success, is a strong candidate for Horse of the Year title, ahead of Jacqueline by virtue of his several graded race success.

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