Artois, Kanthara and Grosvenor Square have the better credentials

By Bob Sawhny

Mumbai
December 20, 2003

A competitive field of 18 three-year-olds, which include five fillies, will be vying for the lavish winner's prize of Rs.25, 40, 322 in The McDowell Indian 2000 Guineas(Gr.1) to be run here on Sunday, 21st December. 

The trio with the better credentials, from whom the winner is likely to emanate are - Artois, Grosvenor Square and the very speedy filly Kanthara, who will be in receipt of 1.5 Kg's from the aforenamed duo. 

ARTOIS (Storm Trooper-Cut Of The Cloth)
Trainer : Vinayak, Jockey : Malesh.Narredu
Rating  : 91 

He is sparingly raced due to his 'tendonitis' problem , but for which he would be a superb colt with awesome Classic Potential. Despite his drawback , Artois reeled off three successive wins in the manner of a champion(Pune) and literally trounced the opposition in The Pune Derby(Gr.1). The classy son of Storm Trooper is a half-brother to Zurbaran, who is the winner of nine races including The Indian Turf Invitation Cup and The McDowell Indian St. Leger. Although, Artois has not had a prep-race , he has performed well in his two mock races and is raring to go. Furthermore, he possesses excellent speed and is also endowed with admirable stamina and the long Mahalaxmi straight should suit him well. In my estimation, Malesh Narredu who will be astride Artois, gets an excellent chance to redeem his riding prowess and suffice it to say, that if Artois does not feel his legs, it will really take an exceptionally good horse to beat him.

Artois
 

GROSVENOR SQUARE 
(Local Talent-Desert Rose)
Trainer: D. Byramji, Jockey : D. Badel
Rating : 98

Grosvenor Square

This son of Local Talent is the winner of four races from six starts including The Bangalore Colts Trial Stakes, in which he beat the likes of Lancaster and Hawke Bay. Thereafter, however, he blemished his record by finishing a poor sixth in The Bangalore Derby and in his last run on November 15 in -The 1400Metres Ashwapriya Cup, he was upgraded to the runner-up berth on a successful objection. Grosvenor Square is well-bred, as his dam Desert Rose (Ballo- Madame's Gift) won six races including The Northumberland Trophy , R.C.T.C. Trophy and placed second in The Stayers' Classic. Madame's Gift, the grandam of Grosvenor Square, has produced the likes of- Majestic Brave and Alcyone who won four races apiece. Grosvenor Square is in excellent shape , as is evident from his pleasing prep-work and if he keeps up with the early pace, which is likely to be a fast one, he could very well extend the eventual winner , to the full. 

KANTHARA (Alnasr Alwasheek-Zuni)
Trainer : Cooji Katrak. Jockey : Naill McCullagh
Rating : 68

This very sprightly daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek, is sparingly raced and is the winner of two races from three starts. She is presently in the pink of condition, as is evident from her terrific prep-work and her sensational win, a month ago, in which she trounced class Three opposition in scintillating style. However, Kanthara who possesses blistering speed has yet to compete over a trip- more than six furlongs. Her dam Zuni (Seattle Dancer-Sooni) placed twice in Ireland and her grandam - Sooni(winner of three races) has produced the likes of - Black Cash and My Marchesa, who won six races, apiece in America. Kanthara , however, will have the forceful Irish Jockey Naill McCullagh to guide her fortunes and suffice it to say, that if Kanthara gets the mile trip, she could well be vying for the prime spot.

Kanthara 

Others who should run creditably are the S.S. Shah-trained RAHIL (Tecorno-Badedra) who will be ridden by Pesi Shroff , the Imtiaz Sait-trained ROYAL HUNT (Razeen-Regal Grace) who will be partnered by Bajrang Singh and RAPIDASH ( Greensmith-Starstruck Actress) to be ridden by P.Kamlesh , who shapes as- the rank outsider in this prestigious race.