Equine Lover (Ace - Free Radical), the only filly in a field of ten which will go to the post for Mysore 2000 Guineas, Gr.3 on Friday, will be seeking to emulate Nicolette (1979), Birthday Girl (1982), Golden Fantasy (1991) and Crown Treasure (1996) by capturing the Mysore Guineas double. What sets her apart from those four is that none of them was unbeaten going into the race as she is. She romped home in the Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3, seven lengths clear, and yet clocked a time of 1.34.93 which eclipsed the race record by almost two seconds and was within a tick of Rhapsidion Snow's course record. Golden Fantasy, mentioned earlier, and Rhapsidion Snow were both trained by Padmanabhan who has kept the daughter of Ace in winning nick as evidenced by her track work. She should expect a sterner contest this time around but possesses all the credentials to keep the colts and geldings at bay.

Padmanabhan, who has every reason to hope for a rosy four days straddling September-October, also fields Unforgettable (Ace - Pepetuate).  Unforgettable was the favourite for Mysore Million, Gr.3 at the start of the season. He failed to carry the public purse and was beaten third by Wind Stream (Steinbeck - Artwork) and Simply Stylish. Simply Stylish ran a dismal race in the Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3 and that devalues the form of the Million. Unforgettable runs in the same colours as Equine Lover and though he would have come on after his last race, he should reverse the placings with Wind Stream - his role on Friday is unclear. Equine Lover runs on her own steam and does not require the services of a pace-maker. On pedigree, Unforgettable, who is from the immediate family of McDowell Indian Derby, Gr.1 Starfire Girl, is better suited to longer distances than Equine Lover and the trainer is perhaps allowing him an opportunity to gather experience and at the same time measure his potential.

Like Padmanabhan, Satish Narredu also has two runners, the colt Super Storm (Rebuttal - Cielo Vodkamartini) and the gelding Absolute Majority (China Visit - Blue Ridge). The colt is rated 24 points superior to the gelding and is certain to be the chosen mount of Suraj Narredu. Super Storm was a faraway second to Borsalino in the Kingfisher Derby Bangalore, Gr.1 and hasn't raced since then. He was taken all the way to Mysore for a mock a race the day before Equine Lover's Mysore 1000 Guineas and subsequently was worked with Sprint Star in Bangalore. Sprint Star, of course, won this very race three years ago and has retained his zest for racing well so that workout is significant. Super Storm's dam by the Kentucky Derby winner Conquistador Cielo looks to be prepotent for stamina. Her three foals abroad were all winners over hurdles while Vijaykeerti (by miler Aussie Rules) has won over 1800 m. and 2000 m. Equine Lover has too much toe over a mile and Super Storm, who will come on for this race, has a better chance next month in the Derby.

If the pedigree pointers in case of Super Storm suggest a mile as being a trifle too short, they indicate that Absolute Majority may find 1600 m. a wee too long. Absolute Majority's grandam Macquarie Ridge was one of the most expensive mares purchased by the late Maj P.K.Mehra for Usha Stud. She was then carrying a foal by Boundary and that foal was Blue Ridge, the dam of Absolute Majority. Blue Ridge herself won three races upto 1400 m. in India and was placed in Kingfisher Bangalore Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.1 as well as the Bangalore 1000 Guineas, Gr.2. Blue Ridge has had seven foals, including Absolute Majority, to race so far and between them they have won 29 races. Not one of those 29 races has been beyond 1400 m.

The runner with the third best rating - after Equine Lover and Super Storm is Dr. Ramaswamy's Southern Opinion (Consolidator - Tranquil Star). A winner of three races, including a course and distance victory on his last start, the gelding has beaten horses like Borsalino, Cecil, Machiavellianism, Jersey Girl and Super Storm at various stages in his career so far and that accounts for his high rating. His unraced dam was covered by Songster and Consolidator in U.S.A. before being sent to India and DNA analysis of Southern Opinion's blood samples has confirmed Consolidator, now languishing in Philippines, as his sire. Southern Opinion is a half-brother to a stakes winner called Jack Wil Gallop (by Victory Gallop) who won the USA Stakes over 1700 m. in 1.40.09 which was just 0.09 seconds off the track record. He comes from a reasonable running family, originally from Argentina. The question mark against him is his stable which seems to have to have lost its way in big races.

Treasure Mountain (Ace - Divine Diamond) was only fourth in Wind Stream's Mysore Million, Gr.3 on his last start. Being a horse based at Mysore, his winning chance is remote. Courage In Red and Cecil will carry Dr. Mallya's silks however, that stable, too, is blowing a bit cold these days. Samara Sun still a maiden is the tenth horse in the field.

PAST THE POST

It could well be a glorious four days for trainer Padmanabhan. On Friday, he has Equine Lover. Come Sunday and he goes to Pune to saddle In The Spotlight in the McDowell Signature Indian St. Leger, Gr.1. Then, on Tuesday he takes on L.V.R. Deshmukh's strong home team in the Vijay Textiles Deccan Derby, Gr.1 with Borsalino at Malakpet.

The news, as far as In the Spotlight is concerned, is that Martin Dwyer, who is suspended for two days for careless riding in England, may not ride the Champion Filly and the whispers have it that David Allan will be aboard.

And, to end, some trivia as usual:-

LEADERS

Owners - Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy (11)

Trainers - R.R. Byramji (8)

Jockeys - M. Jagdish (6); including five wins in consecutive years.

Stud Farm - Usha (9)

Sires - Placerville and Razeen (3 each)

Fastest Time: FIELD MARSHAL (2011 - 1.36.31)

Slowest Time: OWN ORDAIN (1995 - 1.47.2)

Biggest Field: SPRINT STAR (2009 - 11 runners)

Smallest Field: FIST OF IRON (1978 - 3 runners)

Fillies Who Have Won - Nicolette, Blue Ice, Birthday Girl, Golden Fantasy, Crown Treasure and Adamile.

'Got-Abroad' Winners - Beat The Clock and Crown Treasure