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Pasquier Unveils a Picasso Masterpiece

By Mahendra Mallya | 27 Feb 2011 | MUMBAI


Trainer P Shroff leading Picasso (Stephane Pasquier Up), winner of the Poonawalla Breeder's Mulit-Million Grade-I

The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Grade 1) amply delivered its promise of a pulsating finish! Three of the top juveniles in contention - Amadeus (B Prakash), Picasso (Pasquier) and Aidan (S De Souza) battled vigorously to send the decibels soaring in the packed Grand Stands. At the end, Frenchman Stephane Pasquier dealt a telling blow to seal the issue right on the wire and Picasso landed a rich purse and a glittering trophy.
 
The race had all the ingredients of a hard-core battle, with the entire field nudging one another right through the race. Martinique acquired early prominence and led a tightly packed bunch. Mountain Glory, Aidan, Haunting Fantasy, Amaretto and Picasso huddled together, with Amadeus, Pronto Pronto and Sledgehammer following in close order. The initial pace was nippy and all settled well and were travelling comfortably. 
 
Martinique led the field homewards and then began a rough charge. With more than half the contenders making a horizontal ‘rugby’ line across the sprawling Mahalaxmi straight, each aspirant was sharpening up for the kill. Aidan, at around 300 m from home, made a move to skirt around Martinique to grab the initiative and in doing so, while moving outward, swung awkwardly and passed the resulting ‘knock’ sparking a chain reaction that hindered the others alongside, including Picasso. This was later noted by the stipendiary stewards and at their behest, the stewards held an enquiry. The result however, remained unchanged. 
 
Back on the track, the action was heading towards a fitting climax when Aidan and Picasso going for the Full Monty, all guns blazing. All this while, Amadeus, the pre-race super star, was hidden behind a wall of horses, pronouncing jockey B Prakash’s predicament, which way to go! Amadeus was waiting for guidance and Prakash directed him through the gap between Martinique and Aidan. Amadeus took the cue and hastened, responding to the two cracks of the whalebone. Aidan and Picasso, on their part, were fighting stride for stride even as Amadeus headed them momentarily. But even before the echo of the screams of his supporters could die down, Amadeus lost the plot. The dazzle in his finish was missing and he just could not reproduce his known brilliance over the extended furlong. 
 
To sum his performance up in the PBMM, Amadeus did not have the luck of the race for a major part of the race. He was, nevertheless, compensated abundantly, in the final furlong and a half, by Aidan. Aidan literally swept the others away from Amadeus’ path and did him a generous favour by providing a wide enough gap to make his final bid. Amadeus only flattered to deceive. Amadeus, I reckon, looked a touch light in the paddock too. 
 
It was just the opposite with the other Shroff colt – Picasso (Black Cash – Allies Sernade). He looked sharp, well-filled and battle-ready. And when the push came to shove, Picasso got stronger and more determined to assert his superiority. Aidan probably would have lost the race even if he had managed to nose the wire first. His bulldozing his opponents did not go down well with the stewards and he was later slapped a heavy fine for his offence. 
 
Pasquier was gleeful at the lead-in. “That was a close call and not an easy ride either. I had to keep him (Picasso) calm after that tussle in the straight. The incident thankfully did not distract him too much and he regained his composure instantly and produced his best finish. I thought he performed beautifully under the circumstances and showed what a fighter he is,” said Pasquier. 
 
“I thought it was touch and go between Amadeus and Picasso. Both had done well in their precious engagements. Unfortunately, when pitted against one another, there can be only one winner and it was Picasso’s day. I am considering running him in the Shapoorji Colts’ Championship in March,” said trainer Pesi Shroff. Mr KN Dhunjibhoy, owner of Picasso, was jubilant. “I had expressed before the race that Picasso had an edge and he proved me right. It is a double pleasure since he is bred at our farm too. He ran a cracker of a race and has done us proud,” said Mr Dhunjibhoy. 
 
While Picasso hogged the limelight, Aidan was gallant in defeat. But for that odd scuffle which could have hampered his own cause too, he ran a super race. The negligible margin of victory is testimony to that fact. He has improved considerably from his last effort and this speaks for his immense potential. 
 
Overall, the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million day was a tremendous thriller and a great advertisement to Indian racing. Assuring of making it a grander affair the next year, Dr CS Poonawalla said, “With the recent demise of my wife, Villoo, we toned down most of the fanfare and chose to associate with the Cancer Society of India and contribute for a noble and essential cause. That’s what Villoo would have liked as well. I assure you, however, that we will present the day with much higher grandeur next year.”