Dr Vijay Mallya makes his appearance to the Mahalaxmi racecourse now and then, but when he is around, he does make his presence felt. The charismatic aura the gentleman generates spreads all over and the racing public was vocal in cheering him as he stepped in the aisle to lead in his filly Mariinsky, which he owns in partnership with Mr Mehernosh Deboo.   

Mariinsky was brilliant in her display and jockey Trevor, all of 21, was as flawless in the saddle. The Deltin Casinos Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr1) was universally expected to be a cliffhanger, however, Mariinsky wrote her own script. She outpaced an elite band of fillies and emerged clear, scoring a resounding victory in the Season’s first classic at Mumbai.

The 13 fillies lined up and as the gates flung open, Circle of Life loafed a bit going left wards but jockey Richard Hughes was quick to halt her drift and help her get into the groove. At the front, Sheer Class and Arch Duchess set up a fast pace. Ainra, Beforememoryfades, and Trance were up next. Mint Approach was up with pace as well, followed closely by Keukenhof. Trevor settled Mariinsky behind this bunch with Circle of Life coming over to join the Bangalore 1000 Guineas winner, followed by Amelia, favourite Starry Eyes had two behind her, Mauna Kea and Isn’t She Special, racing at the tail end of the field.

Arch Duchess and Sheer Class ended their lease on the lead and gave way to Mint Approach who took brief charge soon on turning for home. Stuck on the rails, Amelia tried to wriggle through but disaster struck as she got squeezed in for space, clipped hit the railing and went down with a thud, dislodging jockey Zervan just past the 400. Fortunately, neither was anyone hurt, nor did the accident set off any after effect.

Mariinsky came alive with a sizzling forward surge and called Mint Approach’s bluff in a split-second and Trevor was just easing her into a rhythm. Without looking too aggressive, Trevor got Mariinsky going, showing a fiery turn of foot just past the distance post. At that very juncture, Circle of Life made her bid from the stand side and she was coming menacingly after Mariinsky. Starry Eyes meanwhile had too much to do with little ground left in the contest. Starry Eyes was woefully out of the reckoning considering both Mariinsky and Circle of Life had already stolen a march and that there was no ground or time for her to rally any sensational recovery.

Mariinsky kept the momentum going and had no difficulty in staying well ahead of Circle of Life. She marched on in front gracefully to nose the wire, well clear of Circle of Life. In fact, Trevor, taken in by this huge success, stood up in the stirrups raising his hand in triumph, his head turned towards the grand stands. After all, this was his moment too, winning his first ever Indian Classic! Even the great Richard Hughes congratulated Trevor and complimented him in particular on his successful ride, where Richard himself returned next best.

“I am overwhelmed. The beauty of the Mahalaxmi racecourse is such that it takes time to soak in the moment of glory. This is a huge moment in my career and Mariinsky has given me a moment to cherish a lifetime,” were Trevor’s first reactions after the conquest.

In his interview with Indiarace and the Winning Post TV, Trevor was more elaborate. “As a jockey this is certainly my biggest moment. I had gone down narrowly last year (atop bay filly Showin’ Off), and that had been a painfully close loss. Now Mariinsky has erased that lump-in-the-throat feeling that always lurked. She certainly has a lot of class and she did most things on her own. She settled well and quickly and then switched herself on at just the right juncture. I took the opening the moment I got the chance and she knew exactly when to flow. I was waiting for a challenge knowing that she would be spurred by it and the moment Circle of Life got in the vicinity, Mariinsky gave it her all. I knew I had it covered at least with a 100 more to go.”

For owner and breeder Dr Vijay Mallya his fillies have been firing at all centres. Mariinsky, bred at his Kunigal Stud Farm by leading sire Burden of Proof out of Sabre Dance, brought him laurels winning the Abaran Bangalore 1000 Guineas (Gr2), the Kolkata Fillies’ Trials Stakes and the FD Wadia Trophy (Gr2) at Pune. The Deltin Casinos Indian 1000 Guineas was her fourth straight win, each conquest on a different track! Dr Vijay Mallya’s Apparition has also won him the Deccan Bookmakers Golconda 1000 Guineas (Gr2) three weeks ago at Hyderabad. The rich haul stretched out to the Mumbai turf, undoubtedly his favourite of them all.

“Success in the Indian Classics is certainly sweeter. This one is even more so as Mariinsky is bred at the Kunigal Stud Farm. Our fillies have done extremely well this year and I hope the trend continues. Of course, the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby is the biggest of them all, and I hope we do well there too. I should have a good representation in the Derby, and I know the other owners too will have theirs. Mariinsky has proved she is a filly with a lot of class. We have a bit of time to think of her near future plans,” said Dr Mallya.

Mr Mehernosh Deboo, whose silks Trevor had donned, was delighted at his filly’s wonderful streak of victories. “I consider myself lucky to have picked up the top filly and have thoroughly enjoyed each time she won. Today I was excited more than usual. I had my eyes glued to her all the way and when she hit the front, the final furlong became suddenly a lot more pulsating. Circle of Life did throw a scare at one juncture, but it was sheer joy and relief when she galloped past the post. She is genuinely classy filly and all thanks to Pesi Shroff and Trevor for their contribution towards Mariinsky’s streak of success,” said Mr Deboo.    

Trainer Pesi Shroff’s first reaction after Mariinsky was concern for his stable jockey S Zervan who fell during the race. “I hope all is well with him (Zervan). Well, Mariinsky has been in the pink of condition and I expected her to run well. I am also happy about Circle of Life given the way she galloped to take the runner up spot. Mariinsky had travelled around a bit but fortunately she showed no fatigue on the track. I had worked her lightly for the reason and she was certainly fresh at race time. I would thank my stable staff and jockey Trevor, as they have added their share towards the success,” said Pesi Shroff.

The latest news on Mariinsky is that she has been pitched in as a final entry to take on the colts in the Deltin Casinos Indian 2000 Guineas. Obviously the thinkers in the Mariinsky camp have seen the merit in the classy filly. She is in great heart as one can see and the decision to give her an opportunity to challenge the colts over her optimum distance seems absolutely justified.

Mr Jaydev Mody presented the trophies to the connections of Mariinsky. The head honcho of Deltin Casinos, the sponsors of the Deltin Casinos Indian 1000 Guineas had made elaborate arrangements in the members lawns with a casino set up that was thronged by the racing patrons. Cocktails and variety cuisine was on offer at the Deltin markee, with free trip to Goa with stay and Casino experience offered as prizes for those who indulged on the gaming tables. It was a great day out at the Mahalaxmi with a quality blend of gaming, glamour, prizes, entertainment, and racing at its very best.