The Piaggo Sprint Million Will Be A Great Race
Pune: A field of 11 impeccably bred three-year olds will be competing in the 1200M Piaggo Sprint Million which will be run here on 19th September 2010. I, envisage that the winner of this grand race will emerge from the juveniles deliberated with their relevant traits stated hereinafter:
*Star of Killarney(Ontario-Lakes of Killarney)-colt Trainer: Adil Dajee
This sprightly son of Ontario has won 2 races in the current Pune Season in the manner of a champion sprinter. But, he will now be dishing out weight to his rivals and it remains to be seen whether he completes a hat-trick, which he can achieve, as he is getting better with each victory. Furthermore, he is raring to go and it will take a very good juvenile to get the better of him. Pondering over his pedigree, his ‘sire’ Ontario was a leading first season sire in India. From the 11th crop of Storm Cat, Ontario is a half-brother to the classic sire Desert Prince and Ontario`s ‘dam’ Flying Fairy is by a champion broodmare sire Bustino out of Fairy Footsteps, winner of the 1000 Guineas. His ‘dam’ Lord of Killarney is by Ahonoora who won 7 sprints incl. the Gr.2 Sprint Championship in 1979.
Therefore, the in-form and impeccably bred colt- Star of Killarney, despite his heavy impost, appears to be a strong contender.
*Ocean Wish (Diffident –Marmalade)-filly Trainer: Shiraz Sunderji
Ocean Wish is a speedy filly who has won two 1000M races, once as a 2yo in Mumbai 2009-10 and another 1000M race in the current Pune Season. She has excelled in her morning work-outs which conspicuously reveal that she is presently in a tiptop condition. As far as her pedigree is concerned she is sired by Diffident who won 10 races in France, England and U.A.E. at 2 to 6(1200-1600) and her ‘dam’ Marmalade is by Placerville out of Silver Academy who was a good class II mare in Western India and Marmalade’s ‘grandam’ was the classic filly Academic who won the 1993 Indian Oaks.
Hence, the pedigree of Ocean Wish is good & since, she has admirable speed,the finish of the race should be an interesting and breathtaking one.
*Ocean Emperor (Placerville-Sky Rocket)-gelding Trainer: Shiraz Sunderji
He is another swift footed juvenile who is likely to be involved in a very close finish of this grand race. This son of Placerville has been sparingly raced and in his two runs, he has won once over a 1000M trip among 3yo maidens in the 2009-10 Mumbai season and has finished a good close 2nd to the worthy filly Amouresque. Although, he has not had an outing in Pune, he has excelled in his preparatory work, which shows that he is an excellent condition. His ‘dam’ Sky Rocket is by Diffident out of Bazooka Babe who won 5 races in U.S.A.
As such, the overall characteristic traits of Ocean Emperor are exemplary and considering that he is presently in terrific condition, he merits consideration as the race is a highly competitive one.
*Viva La Diva (Diffident – Amazing Girl)-filly Trainer: Faisal A. Abbas
This daughter of the renowned sire Diffident is the winner of one race over 1000M in Mumbai 2009-2010 in a fast time of 59.79 seconds which showed that a five furlong distance is her optimum trip. Viva La Diva has not had the benefit of a run in the current Pune Season but she has pleased in her morning work-outs which reveals, that she is presently extremely fit and ready to compete in sprint events. Furthermore, her ‘dam’ Amazing Girl who won 2 races is by Placerville out of Birthday Girl& her dam’s tail line goes down to Hari Hara Priya who produced some very good thoroughbreds.
Accordingly, the speedy and impeccably bred Viva La Diva could well be vying for honors although, she is likely to find the opposition very stiff but nonetheless, she could get a place.
*Palazzo Grazioli (Royal Kingdom – Fedora)-gelding Trainer: Vinayak
This sturdy son of the splendid ‘sire’ Royal Kingdom has run only thrice in his career out of which twice were in the current 2010 Pune Season where she finished a commendable 3rd and 2nd respectively over 1200 and 1000M. In his 2nd endeavor on 8th August 2010 over 1200M, he amply exhibited his speedy talent till the last 100M and finished a noteworthy 2nd to Starrer at level weights. It will be worth knowing that his classy ‘dam’ Fedora `won the 2005 Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million.
Therefore, the raring to go and superbly bred speedy gelding Palazzo Grazioli seems to be the one, who all will have to beat.
*Venus Rosewater (Senure- Zealous Cat)-filly Trainer: Imtiaz Sait
Venus Rosewater has had only one outing in her career on 14th August 2010 over a 1000M trip in which she finished an eye-catching flying 2nd to Titleist and that to from an extreme outside draw 15 which conspicuously revealed that this highly classy daughter of ‘Senure’ will mature into a champion sprinter as her pedigree is an astounding one.
It will be well worth knowing that her ‘sire’ Senure is by Nureyev out of Diese who won 7 races including two Group 1 races and he promises to be - a top class sire, very shortly on the Indian turf.
Furthermore, Venus Rosewater’s ‘dam’ Zealous Cat is by (Storm Cat out of Trail Robbery by Alydar) and she is half-sister to 3 winners including – Pohave (Holy Bull – Trail Robbery) who on 3rd July 2004 won (i) the Triple Bend Breeders Cup Handicap (Gr.1) at Hollywood Park (U.S.A.) over 7 furlongs, stopping the clock at One Minute.21 seconds and (ii) The 2004 Los Angeles Times Handicap (Gr.2) on 8th May 2004 over 6 furlongs at a time of One Minute 08.12 seconds.
Therefore, the highly brilliant pedigree of Venus Rosewater along with her swift speed and feather weight of 48.50Kgshould now see her vying for prime honors with a great deal of confidence. Hence, Punters should play a very good, Each-Way Bet on her.
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