The question that is being asked is whether Berlioz can put it across Spectacular Quest at level weights in the Mysore 2000 Guineas on Friday? On the face of it, it is a difficult ask considering the fact that Berlioz beat Spectacular Quest by a shade less than two lengths in the Nanoli Juvenile Million when in receipt of seven kgs from the latter and now at level weights, the equation swings totally in favour of the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes winner. However, it is quite possible that Berlioz can still land the spoils considering the fact that he is a quick learner and is improving with every run. The winner’s intrinsic value can make it possible for him to defy the andicap. Though the terms are against him, what goes in his favour is the fact that Spectacular Quest has had a great deal of racing and could be a tired horse where as Berlioz is a fresh horse, with just three career runs to his credit.

However, ignoring the other contestants like Full Speed, Adesina and Staranzano and discussing the event as a match race between Berlioz and Spectacular Quest is fraught with pitfalls. Logically, Full Speed, one of the most consistent horses in the fray, has a lot going for him. He was a close second behind Fantabulous King in the Gr 2 Karnataka Trophy, ran third to Spectacular Quest in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes and was again third to Fantabulous King in the Gr 1 Kingfisher Derby. With a little bit of luck of the race, Full Speed would have been closer to the winner in the Derby. But the drawback is that he is going into the race without the benefit of a race run.

Yes, the trainer has to his credit the success of Brown Sugar who won the Gr 1 Deccan Derby last year despite the layoff but against the opposition which has made its mark during the Summer Season and some fresh horses like Berlioz and Adesina, he has his task cut out. There is no doubt about his enormous talent but that needs to be exploited to the full. The jockeyship is going to prove the difference between defeat and success. Without belittling Silva who has won many a big race including the Derby, the fact remains that when confronted with horses of equal caliber, the crucial input becomes all encompassing. The good wishes are with the team of Irfan and Silva, who one hopes, come out of the stupor and euphoria of last year’s Derby win. Full Speed’s enthusiastic owners are undoubtedly blessed with luck though frustration has chased them in equal measure.

Be that as it may, Spectacular Quest, the son of Placerville out of multi-classic winner Forest Fantasy, has been blazing the track. He went an outstanding gallop last week and the timing he cut, hasn’t been clocked by any one on the Mysore outer sand track in the last decade or so as the sand is traditionally thickly laid. Either the sand has disappeared or Spectacular Quest has been living up to his first name. If he has not left his best behind on the track, Spectacular Quest could still retrieve lost ground.

The got abroad son of Sri Pekan, Berlioz has been making vast strides with each run. After running a blinder of a second in his debut run, he won his next outing untroubled and then followed it up with a win in the Nanoli Million. No doubt he had pull in weights but the field consisted of class performers and Camarioca who finished third on that occasion, went on to win the Mysore 1000 Guineas, enhancing the form of that race. Berlioz will go into this race fitter than before though he hasn’t really blazed the track. Berlioz gets into top gear only when he has company failing which he runs well within himself. 

Fantabulous King was expected to be in the fray but the connections have decided to skip this race as they did not have enough time to get him in pink of condition for a competitive event of this nature. It may be recalled that Fantabulous King went to Chennai for a treadmill test after his triumph in the Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby and then was treated for an inflammation due to which his preparation was affected. He will now run in a nine furlong race as a lead up for the next month’s Gr 1 Poonawalla Derby next month.  

All in all, an exciting battle is in the offing, with the winner surely going to make a big impact in the winter classics.