Becket, Siachen tower over the rest
If Becket had not performed poorly in his last run over a mile, he would have gone into the Gr 1 Maj P K Mehra Super Mile as an overwhelming favourite. He ran a poor race, was well beaten and failed to show the spark that had made him a super star at the very same venue in the last year’s running of the Invitation Cup where he had measured super filly Jacqueline. After his shock defeat, he will not enjoy the tag of invincible aura and Indian 1000 Guineas heroine Siachen is bound to start as a favourite given the fact that the mile trip suits her best and she has not put a foot wrong over this trip.
The Super Mile has been one of the premier attractions of the Invitation Cup weekend races as exceptional horses have always taken part in this event. The race named after a man who revolutionised breeding in India through his Usha Stud Farm, has never been short of glamour quotient.
Becket will surely continue to have his share of admirers who will give him one more chance to redeem their expectation. When Becket set out his career, jockey Wayne Smith who had ridden him in workouts during his formative days had said that this was a horse he would like to own. ``I don’t think any horse in India would beat him up to a mile. I am not sure if he stays longer trips.’’ Interestinglyy, Becket proved his worth only over long trips though his solitary run in a mile race at Hyderabad saw him smash the record. Since he missed the Guineas, he was always prepared with the Derby in view and this may have blunted his initial speed as he was taught to relax for most of the trip before he was asked to produce his patented acceleration.
After running second in the Indian Derby and then winning the Invitation Cup, Becket was targeted for terms events over longer trips. He won over nine, 10 and 12 furlongs and lost by a whisker over nine furlongs in the early part of the Mumbai season. Then he was brought back in trip where he seemed rusty and off colour. Since then he has put in some fine workouts and with him being specifically targeted for the mile, he may re-adjust to the shortened trip and produce his best. At his best, he should be a good thing.
Jaggy Dhariwal trained Siachen has twice beaten Moonlight Romance in Group I events. Her win in the Indian 1000 Guineas where she came from behind to easily beat Moonlight Romance highlighted her prowess over the mile long trip. After a below par performance in the Indian Oaks, she was switched back in distance and will be racing to her strengths. The daughter of Burden of Proof will go into the race as a favourite due to the poor run of Becket in his previous essay. The battle between the two will be one of the highlights of the Invitation Cup weekend racing.
Star Future finished an impressive second in the Indian 2000 Guineas to Ocean And Beyond but both these horses have been since disqualified as they tested positive for a banned substance. The trainer of Star Future, C D Katrak had felt that Star Future would have won the Guineas easily but for the poor jockeyship of Suraj Narredu. Now with Richard Hughes to guide his fortunes, one has to wait and see whether the trainer was right in his assessment.
S S Shah trained Beautiful Stranger, who got the Indian 2000 Guineas by default, is a capable horse. He is a full brother to Dancing Dynamite who won the Super Mile in Hyderabad and was unfortunate to miss out by a whisker in last year’s running of this race. Beautiful Stranger is a horse who cannot be trifled with.
Sprint Star who was outstanding in trips up to a mile at Bangalore has somehow not been able to show that form at Mumbai. His runs have been below par thus far. If he is able to regain his old touch, he can be right there at the finish.
Pesi Shroff’s Onassis is another who merits attention on his impressive second to Onassis. The well performed Couleur Rouge has always defied expectation and whether she will once again live up to the billing as a giant killer remains to be seen. One will sure miss the presence of Diego Rivera who was retired from racing earlier this week following a setback in training.
The Super Mile has been one of the premier attractions of the Invitation Cup weekend races as exceptional horses have always taken part in this event. The race named after a man who revolutionised breeding in India through his Usha Stud Farm, has never been short of glamour quotient.
Becket will surely continue to have his share of admirers who will give him one more chance to redeem their expectation. When Becket set out his career, jockey Wayne Smith who had ridden him in workouts during his formative days had said that this was a horse he would like to own. ``I don’t think any horse in India would beat him up to a mile. I am not sure if he stays longer trips.’’ Interestinglyy, Becket proved his worth only over long trips though his solitary run in a mile race at Hyderabad saw him smash the record. Since he missed the Guineas, he was always prepared with the Derby in view and this may have blunted his initial speed as he was taught to relax for most of the trip before he was asked to produce his patented acceleration.
After running second in the Indian Derby and then winning the Invitation Cup, Becket was targeted for terms events over longer trips. He won over nine, 10 and 12 furlongs and lost by a whisker over nine furlongs in the early part of the Mumbai season. Then he was brought back in trip where he seemed rusty and off colour. Since then he has put in some fine workouts and with him being specifically targeted for the mile, he may re-adjust to the shortened trip and produce his best. At his best, he should be a good thing.
Jaggy Dhariwal trained Siachen has twice beaten Moonlight Romance in Group I events. Her win in the Indian 1000 Guineas where she came from behind to easily beat Moonlight Romance highlighted her prowess over the mile long trip. After a below par performance in the Indian Oaks, she was switched back in distance and will be racing to her strengths. The daughter of Burden of Proof will go into the race as a favourite due to the poor run of Becket in his previous essay. The battle between the two will be one of the highlights of the Invitation Cup weekend racing.
Star Future finished an impressive second in the Indian 2000 Guineas to Ocean And Beyond but both these horses have been since disqualified as they tested positive for a banned substance. The trainer of Star Future, C D Katrak had felt that Star Future would have won the Guineas easily but for the poor jockeyship of Suraj Narredu. Now with Richard Hughes to guide his fortunes, one has to wait and see whether the trainer was right in his assessment.
S S Shah trained Beautiful Stranger, who got the Indian 2000 Guineas by default, is a capable horse. He is a full brother to Dancing Dynamite who won the Super Mile in Hyderabad and was unfortunate to miss out by a whisker in last year’s running of this race. Beautiful Stranger is a horse who cannot be trifled with.
Sprint Star who was outstanding in trips up to a mile at Bangalore has somehow not been able to show that form at Mumbai. His runs have been below par thus far. If he is able to regain his old touch, he can be right there at the finish.
Pesi Shroff’s Onassis is another who merits attention on his impressive second to Onassis. The well performed Couleur Rouge has always defied expectation and whether she will once again live up to the billing as a giant killer remains to be seen. One will sure miss the presence of Diego Rivera who was retired from racing earlier this week following a setback in training.
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