She’s the favourite but it’s not going to be that easy for Bratz
By True Blue
Mumbai
Dec 11, 2005

The three-year-old Bratz (Major Impact-Dizzy Heights), trained by the wizard Rashid Byramji, has been the talk of the town since she arrived here at Mahalaxmi. She will, in all probability, start as the favourite to win the Indian 1000 Guineas, the first classic of the season. Bratz will continue to have Suraj Narredu as his saddle partner, who will have butterflies in his stomach as he mounts the filly this Sunday. Should Bratz live up to the expectations, she will provide Suraj with his first Indian classic win.

The other filly that shares the top billing with Bratz is the local challenger Fedora (Diffident-Chloe’s Delight), who is trained by Vinayak. This bay filly has, however, played the role of a bridesmaid thrice after winning the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion here last February. Fedora was cramped for room at a very crucial stage of the race when she down to Armament by three parts of a length on the opening day of the season. She has the advantage of the home ground and the experience of Malesh Narredu will come handy as the seventeen fillies enter the home stretch. Fedora will make sure that Bratz does not have a walk in the park.

The lesser luminaries who can make their presence felt at the finish are S. Padmanabhan trained Risada (Placerville-Rasant), Dallas Todywalla schooled Evatina (Placerville-Abbess) and Pesi Shroff’s big hope Spectacular Queen (Placerville-Forest Fantasy).

If the odds are lucrative, it's worth taking a risk on Fedora.