Poonawalla Million: Speed, Glory, Mayhem!
By Sharan Kumar
The Gr 1 Poonawalla Multi-Million, the grandest
stage for juveniles and second only to the Indian Derby in terms of
glitz, glamour, and the number of designer handbags per square foot, is upon
us. This isn’t just a race—it’s an event, where the who’s who of high
society descend upon the racecourse, some for the thrill of speed and others
just to be seen. Thanks to Zavaray Poonawalla, who ensures this
spectacle stays in the limelight, the race has once again drawn a full house—16
hopefuls, each dreaming of stardom.
The problem? Most of them are still figuring out
how their legs work. These babies are at an age where they either turn into
the next superstar or spend their careers impersonating a fancy lawn ornament.
Some arrive with flashy credentials, others have barely proved they belong, and
a few were probably entered on a whim. But that’s the beauty of it—chaos and
unpredictability are the Poonawalla Multi-Million’s signature dish.
Prokofiev: The Hype Machine in Overdrive
Leading the charge is Prasanna Kumar-trained
Prokofiev, a Leitir Mor colt who got his act together in the
Breeders’ Produce Stakes after an initial stumble at Bangalore. He’s been
working like a dream, and visiting jockey David Allan is here to ensure
no navigational errors occur. Allan knows Mumbai like the back of his hand,
having already stolen big-money races, including the Indian Derby thrice
and the Poonawalla Multi-Million on Rosmini. If races were won on
morning track reports and pre-race buzz, Prokofiev might as well collect his
trophy now. But alas, they are run on turf, not Twitter.
Big Bay: The Speed Demon
Then there’s Big Bay, who turned heads and
burned stopwatches on Indian Derby day by winning the Rattonsey
Maiden Million in a searing 1 minute 09.5 seconds. That’s a time
that makes seasoned sprinters break into a sweat. Suraj Narredu, who
basically has more classics than some trainers have winners, takes over
from cousin Yash Narredu. Suraj, fresh from last year’s heroics on Excellent
Lass, is more than capable of making lightning strike twice.
Miracle Star: The Late Arrival to the
Party
Padmanabhan’s Miracle Star
wasn’t part of the early speed brigade when Big Bay set the track ablaze,
but when she finally decided to join the race, she flew home like a runaway
freight train. Finishing just a length behind Big Bay, she gave a glimpse
of what’s under the hood. Jockey A Sandesh, who has been on a Derby-winning
spree, has chosen her over other mounts, which means he sees something
special. Given her impressive workouts and Excellent Art lineage,
Miracle Star might just deliver an encore performance—minus the slow start,
hopefully.
The Lurkers & The Landmines
A few silent assassins like Gun Smoke, Red
Bishop, Sovereign King, Elusive Art, and Magnetar are lurking in the
lineup, waiting for the big guns to misfire. This is a race where upsets are
less of a surprise and more of a tradition. The fast pace, the battle for
positioning, and the ability to save just enough gas for the final explosion—all
these factors could lead to a wildcard stealing the show.
Verdict: Who Holds the Aces?
If we go by ratings and clocked timings, Prokofiev,
Big Bay, and Miracle Star are the ones to beat. But in a race filled with
greenhorns, expect a few theatrics, a dash of drama, and quite possibly, a
result that makes punters question their life choices.
The Poonawalla Multi-Million is about to unleash
the mayhem. It is an event when the elite sip Champagne and the young guns
chase glory.
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