Fynbos Springs to Life – As the Season Sleepwalks Along

 

By Sharan Kumar

In a season where the thrill of racing seems to be held hostage, Fynbos finally gave fans something to cheer—well, at least momentarily. After a forgettable opening act where she wilted tamely behind Sovereign King, the Pesi Shroff-trained filly decided to remind us why hype can sometimes be justified. In a field large, jockey Trevor Patel gave a textbook ride—one Shroff himself would approve of—navigating the traffic like a pro cabbie in Mumbai, then cruising past her only serious rival, Bishop, in the final furlong.

 

Yes, in racing, the logic is often upside down: the bigger the field, the clearer the outcome. Fynbos flopped in a cozy field and then aced this crowded mess. Go figure.

 

Fynbos' win was particularly pleasing not just because she finally lived up to her bloodlines—being a full sister to Zuccaro, who bloomed fashionably late—but because she did it on a track labelled ‘soft’ that looked anything but. Her timing of 1 minute 37.90 seconds was eye-catching, even if the going was supposedly more “soft sponge cake” than firm turf. Someone might want to recalibrate that track penetrometer.

 

Pesi Shroff, meanwhile, continues to operate like a seasoned Test match batsman—consistently racking up classic wins while rivals are still figuring out which end of the bat to hold. His stable is so deep that his runners often look like they're auditioning for a clean sweep rather than competing.

 

While Fynbos' Derby hopes look as bright as ever, the Colts Trials Stakes will provide better clarity. That race promises a genuine contest, with Sovereign King, Circle of Dreams, Big Bay, and others lined up.

 

Positano, racing’s answer to that charming friend who always promises to show up but leaves you stranded at the bar. Once again, the punters fell for the romantic notion that past classic placings somehow equal present performance. Once again, they were ghosted.

 

Installed as the firm favourite in the 1400 metres Stewards Cup, Positano delivered the usual: a flattering reputation and a deflating result. In contrast, Mandarino—another who hadn’t found the winner’s enclosure since Diwali—sprinted clear like he suddenly remembered how to gallop. Trainer Irfan Ghatala pulled off yet another guessing game masterclass, with Mandarino clocking in with a ‘won as he pleased’ finish, jockey Sandesh doing the honours. Positano? Still a puzzle, and perhaps not worth solving.

 

If Sunday had some redeeming moments, Saturday’s card was a bit of a damp squib, with only six races cobbled together. Whatever happened to the eight-race summer standard? Whether it’s the prospectus, the trainers, or just a collective lack of enthusiasm, one thing is certain—the summer buzz is missing. And despite a healthy influx of outstation horses, the action on the track feels about as exclusive as a neighbourhood gym.

 

Still, a few stars flickered: Vyasa, trained by Darius Byramji, notched a hat-trick, while Akitania from James McKeown’s yard dazzled in a dominant win. The Multitude brigade came good early on, including Star of India and Indian Brocade, who put low-grade fields to the sword with clinical ease.

 

In contrast, the Justice Medappa Memorial Trophy saw Trevor Patel channelling his inner sloth on Don Carlos, allowing Diablo to sneak up and snatch victory by a whisker. Meanwhile, Ebotse erased memories of a poor last run with a performance that had punters wondering if it was even the same horse. Smile of Beauty, yet another short-priced fancy from the Dominic yard, flattered before fading—a recurring theme that has now become part of the weekend entertainment.

 

Eight Days, One Washout – and Still No Spark

 

With eight days of racing (one lost to rain), the summer season feels more like a long, tired exhale than a burst of adrenaline. What once defined elite competition has turned into a formulaic affair—predictable winners, tame opposition, and a betting market that’s been more misleading than enlightening.

 

Sure, there have been moments of promise. But so far, the season feels like it's been wrapped in cotton wool, safely avoiding any real drama. Let’s hope the Colts Championship Stakes and the Bangalore Derby can inject some much-needed vigour into the proceedings.

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