"Artois will be the horse to beat in The Pune Derby" - Imtiaz Sait
Interview with Imtiaz Sait

By Bob Sawhny

Pune, 
September 8, 2003

 

Western India's veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait boosted his tally last weekend by saddling four winners namely - Dazzling Queen, Romantic Hero, King Of Hearts and Snow Fire to reach a total of 21 wins for this season, which should definitely ensure the prolific professional to become the champion trainer for the Pune Season 2003. 

Excerpts of an exclusive interview with trainer Imtiaz Sait 
 

Snow Fire's runaway victory last sunday was definitely an amazing improvement in her performance as compared to her last dismal run over a mile which she ran a little over three weeks ago. Your comments ?

In her last run, she was shying away from her adversaries and I was optimistic that the use of blinkers on her, would see her perform with a lot of difference. Her facile win last sunday (with blinkers) proved me right, as she unleashed a terrific turn of foot in the straight and she effortlessly whizzed past both - War Zone and Anna Karenina in a trice.

What's Snow Fire's optimum trip and what's her likely itinerary ?

At present she looks to be a good sprinter but I am confident that she will get a mile and hopefully a bit more as she matures. In all probability, I may bring her down for the graded and classic races - either at Hyderabad or at Bangalore.

King Of Hearts also won impressively. How do you rate him and what's his optimum trip ?

I always had a high opinion of him as he is very well-bred and has a lot of ability. Unfortunately, in the last Mumbai season he did not take his travel from Bangalore well and I decided to lay him off for a couple of months. His stylish victory on sunday showed that he will relish distance trips and I have decided to run him in The Pune Derby.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait

Do you have any other runner in The Pune Derby ?
Yes, apart from King Of Hearts I will also be running Capture The Moment, who finished as the runner-up to Artois in The General Rajendrasinhji Trophy.

How do you rate Artois who is unbeaten in his two starts this season ?
He is a top class colt who should mature into a formidable stayer. In my opinion, Artois is the horse who all will have to beat in The Pune Derby.

Romantic Hero trounced Class III opposition. How do you rate him ?
He relishes the Pune track and should achieve a hat trick here shortly. Since he has matured a lot, I am hopeful of him reaching the highest class in Mumbai.

Dazzling Queen's victory was unimpressive. Any reasons ?
I feel that she is still immature and needs longer trips. She should peak as a four-year-old.

What's your opinion of Self Appointed who finished a dismal third and will she be better 
suited to longer trips ?
The track did not suit Self Appointed and she will definitely be suited to longer trips. I  expect her to acquit herself creditably when she runs a Class III race over a 2000 metre trip in the early part of next month.

Do you have any runners for The Poonawalla Million to be run on September 21 ?
I expect to run three of my horses in The Poonawalla Million. They are - So Shocking,  Highness and Second Jewel. I expect the first two named who are my very good three-year olds to run pretty well, as they are on the upgrade and in great heart.

You look a cinch to be the leading trainer this season. Your comments ?
I am regularly saddling winners this season which is a good feeling. Inshallah, I will be  the champion trainer.