Pune Racing 2011 is a Bonanza for Owners
The 2011 Pune Season Is a Bonanza for Owners as the Mammoth
Stakes Offered Is an All Time Record of 7.38 Crores
By Bob Sawhny
Pune: The dynamic R.W.I.T.C. committee, have assiduously ensured that
the Pune racecourse is sprucely tuned up in all aspects to confirm that
the 2011 Pune Season got off to an auspicious start and that all
racegoers get to see the best racing, with the greatest of enjoyment and
leisure throughout the season.
Important Races
7th August 2011 the Khushro K. Jalnawala Turf Club Trophy (Grade 3)
7th August 2011the Havovi Khushro Jalnawala Memorial Juvenile MILLION
14th August 2011 the F. D. Wadia (Grade 2)
14th August 2011 the Vascon Eve Champion Trophy (Grade 3)
15th August 2011 the PRA Independence MILLION
21st August 2011 the Panchshil Juvenile MILLION
27th August 2011 the Piaggio General Rajendrasinhji MILLION
28th August 2011 the Threptin Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes (Grade 3)
4th September 2011 the Southern Command Gold Trophy (Grade 3)
10th September 2011 the Idar Gold Trophy (Grade 3)
18th September 2011 the S.A. Poonawalla Multi-Million (Grade 2)
25th September 2011 the 2800M McDowell Signature Indian St. Leger (Grade 1)
1st October 2011 the Saarrthi Mile MILLION
9th October 2011 the 2000M Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Grade 1)
9th October 2011 the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint MILLION
16th October 2011 the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing MILLION
21st October 2011 the Tattersalls Classic Trial MILLION
22nd October 2011 the Oxford Properties RWITC Ltd Gold Cup (Grade 2.)
The 27 Race Days are in July: 21, 22, 28, 29(4 days) August: 6, 7, 14,
15, 20, 21, 27, 28 (8 days), September: 3, 4, 9, 10, 17, 18, 24, 25 (8
days) and: October (1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21 and 22 (7 days) Total Race Days =
27 Race Days. The 2 important Grade 1 Race Days are the 2800M McDowell
Signature Indian St. Leger (for 4 years old only) and the 2000M Nanoli
Stud Pune Derby (for 3years old only).
Their will be live TV coverage on ET on The McDowell Indian St. Leger and the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby.
FollowHorses : Amadeus, Astapi, Batista, Becket, Belligerent, Black
Magic Woman, Blackjack, Bongani,, Cogito Ergo Sum, Dancing Dame, Dancing
Glances, Elena, Elizabeth, Frost Fairy,Game Changer, Harlamoff,
Haunting Fantasy, Highway Express, Hills and Stars, Macchupicchu,
Martinique, Michele Marieci, Moonlight Romance, Mystic Temple, National
Glory, Nearness Of You, Nefyn, Ocean And Beyond, Ocean Princess, Ocean
Yarrman, Oceanic Wisdom, Orito, Our Chieftain, Pablo Neruda, Picasso,
Pronto Pronto, Rising Glory, Roesti, Salt, Shahenshah, Venus Rosewater,
St Catz & Xisca
St Catz (Royal Kingdom –Irish Glitter) is an exquisitely bred and well-
conformed juvenile filly who has had only two runs in her career both in
the 2010-2011 Mumbai season. In her first attempt she finished an
excellent 4th in the 1200M B.K. Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million
despite her finishing strongly from the rear, whilst entering the
straight and getting hemmed by Mishri alongside the inner rails near
about the 300M, else she would have won from Pronto Pronto. Be that as
it may, in her next endeavor, she triumphed in the 1400m R.J Kolah
Trophy in scintillating style, stopping the clock at an impressive
1-23.31 seconds, which she could have bettered if she were to be
extended in the last 400M.
Hence, the highly classy and impeccably bred St Catz appears to be a
strong contender, if she runs the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Grade 1).
Others among the Western India horses who come into reckoning at this
early stage, if they participate in the prestigious Nanoli Stud Pune
Derby are Amadeus, Astapi, Black Magic Woman, Haunting Fantasy, Hills
and Stars, Martinique, Nearness of You, Picasso, Pronto Pronto,
Shahenshah, Silk Cut and Vittoria.
However, a lot will depend on their pre-race runs in either the 1600M
Southern Command Gold Trophy (Grade 3), the 1600M S.A. Poonawalla
Multi-Million which will indicate their chances in the Nanoli Stud Pune
Derby (Grade 1) or even a Mock Race will reveal their fitness and
suggest their chances.
So far as the 2800M McDowell Signature Indian St Leger (Grade 1) goes
the brilliant filly Moonlight Romance (China Visit – Wandering Star)
will be hard to beat. However, the vastly improving filly Xisca (China
Visit – Altimara) could be a live threat.
Finally, coming to the trainer’s crown, Pesi Shroff, with his vast
quantity of blue-blooded thoroughbreds will be very difficult to beat.
But, if Narendra Lagad gets off to a flying start, he may upset. Other
trainers who should fare well are Cooji Katrak, Imtiaz Sait, Maniar
Jadhav, Altaf Hussain and Bezan Chenoy.