The Golconda St. Leger, Gr.2 was at the mercy of In The Spotlight. The daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek, who won the McDowell Signature Premier Indian St. Leger, Gr.1 in a hack canter, had merely to turn up at Malakpet to pick up the tenth Classic of her illustrious career and get her name bracketed with the legendary Chaitanya Chakram as the winner of most lifetime Classics in India. There may be several reasons as to why In The Spotlight will be missing from the line-up but the fact is that her absence hands the race on a platter to her stablemate Hills and Stars.

Though there are eight runners still left in, it is more than likely that the two Wadhawan horses -- King Arthur and Hills and Heights, still figure in the list through an oversight. The grey King Arthur, rated just 32, is in Calcutta while Hills and Heights is in Pune. "NDS" will be mentioned against their names tomorrow. The financial burden will be borne by the owners. There is talk that Mr. R.K. Wadhawan, who really splurged big bucks in recent years, is no longer enamoured with the sport. Not surprising when the so-called "professionals" fail in the basic duty of scratching horses on time.

A year ago, following her victory in the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby, Gr.1, the stock of Hills and Stars (Razeen - Altitude) was gilt-edged. That was underscored when a share in her was sold for a fancy price. Then, her troubles started. Her trainer Vinayak was hospitalised and her winter campaign floundered. She moved to trainer S. Padmanabhan's yard after her tepid run in the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby, Gr.1 and the ace trainer slowly got her back on tracks. However, by the time she won the Governor's Cup, Gr.3 at Bangalore, her former trainer was no more. She was fancied to win the Idar Gold Trophy, Gr.3 at Pune but could only finish third behind Spearhead and Native Knight. Still, she is rated at 116 and as all other runners have a rating that is only in double figures, she has an easy task. She has won over 2400 m. and on pedigree is suited for the St. Leger trip.

Among the rivals of Hills and Stars, only Swiss Don and Vijayshaurya have won over 2400 m. or more. Swiss Don (Don Micheletto - Swiss Maid) won the Stayers' Cup, Gr.1 beating Native Knight by a short-neck when in receipt of 5 kgs. Native Knight and Hills and Stars were separated by only a short-head in Pune and the filly was getting just 0.5 kgs. from the gelding. So Hills and Stars comes out clearly the better even on Swiss Don's best form. However, Shehzad Abbas's ward has not had his number put up in the frame since that win in Bangalore. Vijayshaurya (Trade Fair - Tropa Fesca) has been a very consisent runner but his current rating of 80 does not bode optimism. The same holds good for Golconda 1000 Guineas, Gr.2 victress Surya Lakshmi (Burden of Proof - Indian Endeavour) who has a rating of 85. What's more, the filly has never won beyond a mile. Both Vijayshaurya and Surya Lakshmi had their last start in the President of India Gold Cup, Gr.1 where In The Spotlight was a runaway winner. For the record, it may be mentioned that the filly finished ahead of the gelding. The 'got-abroad' Star Marquess (Intikhab - Mawaheb) hasn't won since February 2011 while Vijays Jet (Alnasr Alwasheek - Ramjet) has won his three races at a mile or less.

The connections are entitled not to run In The Spotlight. For all we know, the star filly has already started her preparation for pastures anew. Malakpet is trainer Padmanabhan's happy hunting ground and he has won this race thrice before. The Gods of Racing, however, sometimes frown on mere mortals writing their own script. That is the only danger to Hills and Stars.

Twenty five years ago, on 18 October 1987, Chaitanya Chakram disdainfully disposed off his two rivals to win the Golconda St. Leger, Gr.2, his tenth Classic. Like In The Spotlight, he was a free running horse who liked to be on his own at the helm of affairs. As a matter of interest, brief details of leading Classic winners are given here. The second figure in brackets shows the number of Classics then run in India.

 CHAITANYA CHAKRAM (10) (39) (b c 1983 T.V. Sunday [USA] - Urvashi by Everyday II*)., Won Charminar Challenge Indian Turf Inviation Cup, Gr.1, McDowell Indian Derby, Gr.1-NTR, Bangalore Derby, Gr.1, Charminar Challenge Deccan Derby, Gr.1, Mysore Derby, Gr.2, Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, Golconda St. Leger, Gr.2, Bangalore Colts' Trial Stakes, Gr.3, Nilgiris Colts' Trial Stakes, Gr.3 and D.B.A. Hyderabad Colts' Trial Stakes.

 ARISTOCRAT (9) (38) (b c 1976 Everyday II* - Mumtaz by Asopo*). Won South India Derby, Gr.1, Deccan Derby, Gr.1, Mysore Derby, Gr.2, South India 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, Golconda 2000 Guineas, Gr.3, Bangalore St. Leger, Gr.3, Calcutta St. Leger, Gr.3, Bangalore Colts' Trial Stakes, Gr.3 and D.B.A. Hyderabad Colts' Trial Stakes.

 BIRTHDAY GIRL (9) (38) (ch 1979 Never Never* or Fair World [GB] - Hari Hara Priya by Deerstalker*). Won South India Derby, Gr.1, South India Oaks, Gr.1, Nilgiris Derby, Gr.1, Mysore Derby, Gr.2, Bangalore Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.3, Nilgiris Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.3, Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3, Mysore 2000 Guineas, Gr.3 and Golconda 1000 Guineas, Gr.3

 IN THE SPOTLIGHT (9) (39) (ch f 2008 Alnasr Alwasheek[GB] - Radiate by Placerville[USA]), Won A.K.K. Entertainment Indian Turf Invitation Cup, Gr.1, McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby, Gr.1, Eveready Calcutta Derby, Gr.1, McDowell Signature Premier Indian St. Leger, Gr.1, Deccan Derby, Gr.1, Bangalore St. Leger, Gr.2, Calcutta Oaks, Gr.3, Calcutta 1000 Guineas, Gr.3 and Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3. 

NICOLETTE (9) (38) (gr f 1976 Red Indian* - Nicola by Nicostratus*). Won Golconda Derby, Gr.1, Nilgiris Derby, Gr.1, Golconda Oaks, Gr.2, South India 1000 Guineas, Gr.2, Bangalore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3, Bangalore Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.3, Mysore 1000 Guineas, Gr.3, Mysore 2000 Guineas, Gr.3 and Nilgiris Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.3. 

FAIR HAVEN (8) (19) (ch f Rock of Gibraltar* - Tosca by Tarquinius Superbus*). Won Indian Derby, Gr.1, Indian Oaks, Gr.1, Indian St. Leger, Gr.1, Calcutta Derby, Gr.1, Calcutta 2000 Guineas, Gr.2, Calcutta Oaks, Gr.3, Calcutta 1000 Guineas, Gr.3 and Bangalore Fillies' Trial Stakes, Gr.3.

 OWN OPINION (8) (31) (ch c Simead* - Purita by Cornish Flame*). Won Indian Derby, Gr.1, Arc de Triomphe, Gr.1, Indian St. Leger, Gr.1, South India St. Leger, Gr.1, Nilgiris Derby, Gr.1, Bangalore 2000 Guineas, Gr.3, Nilgiris Colts' Trial Stakes, Gr.3 and Bangalore St. Leger, Gr.3.

 PAST THE POST

 LEADERS

 Owners - Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy (9)

 Trainers - R.R. Byramji (8)

 Jockeys - B. Prakash (5)

 Sires - Ilheus[USA] (4)

 Stud Farms - Poonawalla and Usha (7 each)

 Fastest Time:  ARABIAN KNIGHT (2008) 2.56.72

Slowest Time:  TRIBUTE (1983) 3.35.4 

Biggest Field:  (10) LEAVE IT TO ME (2010)
Smallest Field: (2) ALMANAC (1982) 

'Got-Abroad' Winners:  MOHAWK (1980), TRIBUTE (1983), ASCOT PRINCE (1995), SALUTE HER (1997), ROYAL GLADIATOR (2002) and ZURBARAN (2003).