The race for the Gitanjali Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr 1) was as exciting as it can get. The climax that unfolded, in this race that determines the top filly in the country, surely would have given any sport a run for the money. The thousands that were present at the Mahalaxmi racecourse to witness the first of the Indian Classics will recall this race for years to come. For the connections, it will be a race to cherish a lifetime!

Vijays Pride (Bertolini – Designer Chic) superbly ridden by her long time winning partner PS Chouhan, took the breath away with her splendid performance to win the Gitanjali Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr 1) by the short possible margin. She clocked an impressive 1: 35.78. Another hundredth of a second, and it would have been a dead-heat!

The beginning to this Hyderabad fairy tale began on a lively note alright, with all the fillies taking a tidy jump from the gates. Twilight set a true pace and was followed by Neona, Gold Glamour, Halle, Maple Star and Showin'Off in that order, while Art of Enchantment, Portia, Song Dynasty raced in a bunch with Vijays Pride, one of the top fancies, racing dramatically at the rear end of the field.

Neona, not the one used to take orders, burst into the lead soon on turning for home. She cooked up early acceleration and took off to establish a healthy lead. The rest spread out across the width of the turf for the final charge, Vijays Pride being the widest one of all.

With a furlong and half to go, Neona was fighting to keep her hopes alive as Showin'Off began to turn on the heat. Jockey Trevor was bridging the gap at a good rate. PS Chouhan and Vijays Pride swung into action approaching the distance post. They had done it four times before, over this very distance, on another turf. Chouhan, a lot more mature and seasoned now, relied on his strong pushing and used the whip only when Vijays Pride drifted inward. Once corrected and stable, he put the whip away and rode her out powerfully, hands and heels in perfect sync, to snatch the lead in front of the roaring Grand Stands.

Neona was accounted for, Maple Star was not sighted and Portia was desperately hunting for passage between horses inside the final furlong. The gallant challenge came from Showin'Off. The Dr Vijay Mallya owned filly was fiery in her finish. However, Vijays Pride was in full flight and the tremendous challenge was just about blunted on the wire by the proverbial whisker. Vijays Pride had triumphed sending the Hyderabad contingent into a tizzy, but not until the judge had announced the verdict. To the naked eye, it was still anybody’s race!

As I extended the microphone to trainer LVR Deshmukh, I had to wait a while. The ecstatic gentleman was also choking with emotion. When he got hold of himself, he instantly dedicated the victory to owner late D.Pratap Chander Reddy who died under tragic circumstances earlier this year. “It pains me that he is not with us in this moment of glory. He had seen the special talent in this filly long before she won the fillies Classic in Bangalore,” said Vittal Deshmukh.

“Its’ been 10 long years that I have been aspiring to win an Indian Classic. This is the best moment of my career. Chouhan has been in sublime form and has always ridden Vijays Pride superbly. I give due credit to him for completing a fantastic job. I have to hand it to Showin'Off too; she ran a terrific race as well. I have the highest regard for the western India horses and professionals, so this victory surely ranks among one of the best for me,” he concluded.

Genuine joy was flowing over the wide grin that stayed plastered on jockey PS Chouhan's face. “Whew, that was close,” he said. “She was travelling so well all through. I ensured a clean passage for her as I skirted around horses, I knew that move would not be a bad one considering you have a lot of ground to make the final bid in Mumbai. I wouldn’t have taken that chance on another turf with a shorter straight. That worked well for me thankfully and but for that brief drift inwards, all went according to plan. I feel Vijays Pride is maturing well and it would be a good idea to test her over longer trips. I see no reason why she won’t stay longer trips,” Chauhan told indiarace. 

No hard luck stories here. Vijays Pride won convincingly. Showin'Off may feel he was a touch unlucky and that is justified. Portia may seek lack of clear passage as the reason for her loss, but it would have been difficult for her to get the better of the winner even otherwise. Neano had all the chances, but failed to sustain as required. Maple Star was not on and had no chance with the way she galloped. It had to be Vijays Pride.

For Hyderabad, this is the second Indian Classic conquest after CHAITANYA CHAKRAM. The connections are now upbeat and are going back to the drawing board for the immediate course of action. Deshmukh hinted that the Oaks could be her next assignment.

Vijays Pride was the star of the day. She recorded her fourth straight victory and 6th overall from 8 career starts. Indiarace team congratulates trainer Vittal Deshmukh, jockey PS Chouhan and owners Ashish Bajaj, Vijay Kumar Gupta, Susheel Kumar Gupta and the breeders Mebajeona Stud Farm for the commendable performance of their gritty filly Vijays Pride.