Fantabulous King will be hard to beat in The Poonawalla Breeders' Multimillion (Gr.1) By Bob Sawhny February 20, 2004

The richest juvenile race in the country -The Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million 2004 will be run here amidst pomp and splendour on Sunday, February 22. 

The prestigious Grade 1 race which has been a grand success each year, is being sponsored for the 15th time in succession by The Poonawalla Stud Farms, courtesy - Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla and Zavaray S. Poonawalla. 

The highly coveted Gr.1 race has a field of 10 well bred three-year-olds, some being really classy, who will be vying for a lavish winner's prize of Rs.Three Million and an exquisite Trophy. The 10 runners are Aperitivo, Fantabulous King, Magical Sunset, Mr Darcy, Star Admiral, Air Star, Blurr, Flaming Bay, Radiate and Star Qualities. Herewith is my Assessment of the four Main Contenders :

FANTABULOUS KING ( Burden Of Proof -Imposing)

He is a really classy colt who has all the attributes of a champion - speed, adequate stamina for a juvenile(presently up to a mile), a terrific turn of foot, a good pedigree and an excellent over all temperament. He is unbeaten in his two starts at Bangalore, which were both run last month, in which he trounced the opposition in the manner of a future equine superstar. In his smashing debut win by a distance, in The 1200 Metres Ashoka Chakra Cup, he conspicuously revealed, that he is endowed with a deadly turn of foot which can annihilate the best of adversaries of his age. Almost three weeks after his magnificent debut victory, this brilliant son of Burden Of Proof went on to win The 1400 Metres Narasimharaja Cup by a widening 7-1/2 lengths in scintillating style. Fantabulous King who is in the pink of condition, has travelled very well to Mumbai and has been blazing the Mahalaxmi tracks in his prep-work.

His Sire 'Burden of Proof ' who stands at Kunigal Stud, Kunigal, Karnataka was one of the most consistent and durable horse in Ireland for many years. He was the Top Rated Older Miler in Ireland in 1998 as well as the Joint Top Rated Older Sprinter in 1997 who was the winner of 12 races including Budweiser World Cup International Stakes(Gr.2) at The Curragh, which was run over a mile. 'Imposing', the dam of Fantabulous King won eight races including The Guindy Gold Cup, Madras Trophy and placed second in The South India Oaks(Gr.1). Therefore in almost all respects, Fantabulous King looks a very strong contender and in my estimation, it will really take an exceptionally good juvenile to beat him.

Jockey : Pesi Shroff. 
Trainer : S. Singh. 
Owners : Dr & Mrs Vijay Mallya and Sunil Jhangiani. 

STAR ADMIRAL ( Placerville-Queen To Conquer)

He is a top class gelding who's biggest asset is that he is bred in the purple. He has run twice in Bangalore and his first easy and educative run over 1100Metres (27/12/03), in which he finished seventh, should be taken with a pinch of salt, as he was ridden by D.Patel and the winner was his stablemate Stride To Glory (B.Prakash up).Subsequently, the son of Placerville showed that he has a touch of class, whilst winning The 1200 Metres Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association Trophy in a brilliant manner by a widening four lengths. 

His Sire ' Placerville ', one of the best stallions in the country, who stands at The Poonawalla Stud Farms won three races from five starts in England, at two and three years (7 to 10 furlongs) including the prestigious Prince Of Wales Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot in which he had the distinction of beating Urban Sea, winner of The 1993 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe(Gr.1). The progeny of Placerville have won several classic races and they continue to fare extremely well at all centres of The Indian Turf. 'Queen To Conquer ' the dam of Star Admiral won three races including The Juvenile Million(Gr.2), The Turf Authorities of India Trophy and is the half-sister to Super Brave, winner of The Indian 2000 Guineas(Gr.1), Indian St.Leger(Gr.1) and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup(Gr.1). Star Admiral who has pleased in his prep-work is fit and I feel that if anyone can get the better of Fantabulous King, it will be this impeccably bred son of Placerville. 
Jockey : B.Prakash. 
Trainer : S. Ganapathy. 
Owner : Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy. 

BLURR (Glory Of Dancer -Buona Sera)

She is a very good filly who has stripped much fitter after her win last month, in Mumbai (11th January) and who has ample scope for advancement. In her debut run in Bangalore over a six furlong race, this daughter of Glory Of Dancer finished with a burst of speed to finish as a notable runner-up to Crown Secret. Thereafter, her decisive victory in The Dashmesh and Hargobind Stud Futurity(Gr.3) at Mahalaxmi over the well-performed Lilac Queen and Starynsky was definitely impressive, but I feel that she will be better suited to longer trips of a mile to a mile and a quarter. 

Her Sire 'Glory Of Dancer' was the champion two-year-old colt in Italy who won three races at two and three years (1200m to 2000m +) including Gran Criterium(Gr.1), Homeowners Dante Stakes(Gr.2), and placed second in Grand Prix de Paris(Gr.1). In India he is faring fairly well as a sire as he has produced the likes of Adderly(4wins), Luffness(3), Adrian(3), Titanium(3) and Kaiser(2). 'Buona Sera' the dam Of Blurr has also produced Prowl and Breno who have won two races apiece. Blurr who is fit for the fray should acquit herself creditably and clinch a place. 

Trainer : Michael Eshwer. 
Owners : Mr Farouq Rattonsey & M/s Zaheer Rattonsey and Sameer Rattonsey. 

RADIATE ( Placerville -Aroma)

She is a very well bred chestnut filly, who won her debut endeavour barely nine days ago - The 1400 Metres Muffin Trophy in scintillating style (Mumbai - 11th February). Her runaway victory and pedigree, however, suggests that she will be better suited to trips of a mile and over. The further detrimental factor to her winning chances, is the fact that apart from being a late foal, she is running too soon since her last run, in which she beat an extremely mediocre set of three-year-olds. 

Her sire 'Placerville' needs no introduction, as he has produced several champions of The Indian Turf and he continues to sire top class thoroughbreds. 'Aroma' the dam of Radiate was a Class One stayer in Western India, who won The Eclipse Stakes in 1997. Radiate who is a half-sister to the Class One gelding Radical Force (a stayer), could at best get a place. 

Jockey : P.Kamlesh. 
Trainer : Cooji Katrak. 
Owners : Capt. Jamshed J. Appoo & Cyrus J. Appoo and Dara Godrej. 

If most of the fantastic thoroughbred juveniles are not enough to ensure a full house on The Poonawalla Breeders' Multimillion day, the Bollywood stars Jackie Shroff and ex Miss World Lara Dutta who are the guests of honour and the fabulous prizes up for grabs should definitely ensure a full house at Mahalaxmi racecourse on Sunday, 22nd Feb. 

The Poonawalla Breeders' Multimillion (PBM) is all set to have the Mahalaxmi racecourse abuzz once again with lots of fun, frolic and merriment. It will be the day when not only the regular punters will have a gala time, but also the non-betting railbirds can experience the thrills galore of this top class event. ]

The Poonawalla Group, sponsors of this mega racing spectacle have floated " A Free Contest Of Skill " for every one who attends the races on The PBM day at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. All one will have to do is to nominate the first four horses in The PBM race to become eligible for the fabulous prizes which includes a car, bike, top of the range TV and a music system. Racegoers in all enclosures are eligible to participate in the contest. 

Apart from this, in the First enclosure, the first five thousand entrants shall be allowed Free entry into the Mahalaxmi racecourse. Add on, will be a free refreshment coupon given to all those who attend the races on The PBM day, in the first and second enclosures. 

For those who want to try their luck in The Jackpot, an amount of Rs.10 Lakhs is being carried forward and added to the collection of the day. The tote-linked prizes include a bike and a TV. 

Most definitely, the focus of attention will shift to Sunday 22nd February at The Mahalaxmi racecourse, Mumbai, to witness this highly entertaining event of the Indian racing calendar.