The Indian Oaks is considered the Ladies’ Derby and prefixed with the charismatic Villoo Poonawalla, lends that poetic justice to this all-females race. The late Mrs Villoo Poonawalla was a gracious lady, yet no mean rider herself. She loved the horses and according to her husband Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, it was she who encouraged him into evolving the famed Poonawalla Stud Farm. Villoo Poonawalla was a warm-hearted, sentimental and one of the most helpful persons. She was passionate about racing and owned several horses that achieved success and brought her many Classic trophies. She was most enthusiastic in the saddle and never missed an opportunity to ride. Dr Cyrus Poonawalla had once mentioned to me that during a visit to see the Great Wall of China, Villoo opted to stay back and wait as Dr Cyrus and son Adar walked to the heritage site. When they returned Dr Cyrus was shocked to see the ‘tired’ lady in the saddle atop a not-too-calm horse. The horse was repeatedly rearing up and Villoo had a smile on, waving at Dr Cyrus and Adar. “I had my heart pacing and was gravely concerned for her safety. But Villoo was enjoying that rough time. She certainly was courageous and also comfortable in the saddle”, recalls Dr Cyrus Poonawalla. Villoo Poonawalla is to this day fondly revered and the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr1) is an apt tribute to the lady of substance.

A line-up of ten fillies is left in to vie for the glittering trophy and stakes over Rupees Seven Million are up for grabs. From the look of it, Tiger Tops ought to get the top billing. Her successes in Kolkata are the best credentials of all in the fray. However, there are a few that could stretch her over the mile and half trip.

Aquamarine is shaping up well having won her last two outing after an educative opener during Mumbai last. She drew her maiden victory in only her second outing, which was her first feel of the tough Pune track. Aquamarine then was neglected in the betting, however on her paddock looks on the late October appearance, she looked spot on. She came out of her maiden ranks with distinction then and followed it up with a more authoritative victory on first outing this season. There is no question about her staying ability and what she has shown in her last performance, she possesses the required temperament to do well on the bigger stage. Aquamarine has been regular at her workouts and she is making steady progress as seen in her recent trials. She certainly commands reckoning and is among one of the top contenders for The Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr1).

Classic Moment has a fifty percent win ration having won two from four starts. She certainly is blessed with quality speed as she has shown in her two victories which came over the six-furlong sprints. She is yet to show any blaze over the longer trips and her last run over a mile hardly scores any points in her favor. Nevertheless, she has shown glimpses of class and if there were to be a surprise in the outcome, Classic Moment would be the one to cause the proverbial flutter.

Godspeed has shown promise right from her successful debut run and has improved considerably after her fairly successful campaign at Bengaluru. Godspeed won the Bangalore Summer Million beating classic winner Bold Majesty who won the Mysore Derby (Gr1) and the Bangalore 2000 Guineas subsequently. She then made the journey to Hyderabad and won the Deccan Bookmakers Fillies’ Championship Stakes (Gr3) beating local favorites convincingly. She achieved her biggest success yet, by reversing the Bangalore Fillies’ Trials Stakes verdict, beating her conqueror Maisha in a gripping finish, showing impressive fighting abilities in the process. What remains to be seen is her staying prowess as she has never raced over the longer trips, mile being her best. She has the experience and the classic success under her belt as opposed to Aquamarine, but what balances the gap between them is that Aquamarine has won over 2000 meters twice and she still had a lot of steam left in her passing the post. 

Laurita comes into the equation after a recent spurt in her fortunes. She caught the eye in the Indian 1000 Guineas when she improved with a late run to finish third behind Godspeed and Maisha. That showing prompted her connections to pack her off to Hyderabad for the Golconda Oaks (Gr2) and her victory there sure does enhance her stocks. What makes it most interesting for Laurita is that she is the only filly other than Tiger Tops to have won over the 2400 m distance. The class factor surely is evident from her Oaks win at Hyderabad, the form is naturally forward and there is no question about her stamina quotient.

Tiger Tops as mentioned above, surely takes the top billing as she has been a revelation after her win at Pune. She was assigned to camp at Kolkata soon after and she won the Calcutta Monsoon Derby in style by a long margin.  She then won the Calcutta Oaks with ease. She was the favorite to win the Calcutta Derby as well, however she missed out narrowly there conceding a ¾ length loss to Nanoli Pune Derby winner Quasar. Tiger Top has the right blend of speed, stamina and experience and should be the prime favourite to win The Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr1).