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Gallop, Glamour & Gaiety Ushers Poonawalla Day
By Mahendra Mallya | 27 Feb 2011 | MUMBAI
The RWITC and its sponsors have taken upon themselves to shoulder the social responsibilities with their resources. This is indeed a noble gesture on the Club’s part and equally enthusiastic are the sponsors. This is heartening that amidst the high-octane horseracing extravaganza, with all its glitter and exuberance, a conscientious thought prevails for those in the society struck by the harsher realities of life. Those responsible for coining this drive are persons who wear their hearts on their sleeve and deserve to be applauded.
The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Grade -1) showcases a true lifestyle sporting event. More so, because the race itself is the first true test of talent for budding thoroughbreds of the land, pretty much early in their careers when they are just feeling their feet, rather hooves, on the competitive turf. This year seven equine males and two fillies will be on show, the prize, the richest in their just blooming careers, giving them an opportunity to earn millions for their owners. At the age of three, they embark on their journey seeking stardom.
Among the nine in the line-up, there is one highly potential bay colt, Amadeus. Owned by the same trio, Vijay Shirke, KN Dhunjibhoy and Bergis Desai, that owned the legendary filly Jacqueline, Amadeus has looked every bit a special colt in the two outings that he was assigned to run. His brilliance was noticed on his debut itself, when he came from an improbable position even as three of his rivals were at each other’s throats battling hard to outdo one another in the vicinity of the winning post. Amadeus literally had the eye-balls boggling with his stupendous finish and knocked that trio down to win in a blinding finish. In his next run too, he surfaced with a flourish and this time he took the breath away not in a nerve-wrecking finish, but with the ease with which he smothered the opposition. To my mind, he is the one to beat.
Picasso is another one who is on a roll this season. Two out of two is his record on the Mahalaxmi court. The way he won his two starts here, after an ordinary debut as a two-year-old in Pune was inspiring to say the least. His last effort in particular was a giveaway that there is something about him that makes him a formidable contender.
Aidan won impressively in Bangalore making a mockery of his rivals handing them a severe bashing by a wide margin in a short 1,100m sprint. He has had the feel of the Mahalaxmi track and once acclimatized, the scope for improvement is tremendous. He is no doubt talented and now gets a glorious chance to make this day his own.
Sledgehammer dished out a knockout blow to his rivals in his only outing over the PBMM distance. A good-looking chestnut that he is, he has the power to match his looks. Whether he takes this race as a learning experience, or teach his rivals a lesson or two only time will tell. He has the credentials no doubt and you can rest assured that he will give a good account of himself.
Mountain Glory tasted first blood in his last race, beating current adversary Aidan, albeit at an advantage on the weights. With that scale narrowed down, he is facing an acid test to his abilities for an encore. He has top jockey Richard Hughes as his ally and if he sniffs at victory, you can be sure Richard will go for the kill.
Martinique, the other Shirke representative, is on a hat-trick. She has the initial power and speed that saw her pick up two five-furlong sprints without dropping sweat. She will look to establish her class. How she sustains her blazing speed over an extended period and distance only she can tell.
Amaretto, Pronto Pronto and Haunting Fantasy have all won on their day, making the PBMM an ‘winners only’ bunch taking on each other for a sought-after prize. The stakes are high, the glory higher and when the mission is as serious as the PBMM, the finish can be ever-so-thrilling.
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