It was a historic St Leger on Sunday at the Mahalaxmi. A nearly three-kilometre race was decided by centimetres! Noble Prince and Sweeping Success fought out the entire homestretch in an absorbing ‘ding-dong’ battle, with the former prevailing by the bob of the head. The victory created history for the connections. For Capt. Appoo, Noble Prince got him his first Indian Classic. Ditto for jockey Daniel Grant. Trainer Padmanabhan saddled his first winner for Capt Appoo at Mumbai although the pair has been very successful at other centres. The Poonawalla breeders have now bred 300 Classic winners, a la Virender Sehwag – a phenomenal record indeed. As the field of ten jumped out for the HDIL Indian St. Leger (Gr 1), Imperial View set about his task of the pacemaker and duly hit the front to make the running at a decent pace. Maseeha was in close attendance, Sweeping Success settled well up with the pace, Noble Prince applied the ploy of never letting the Invitation Cup winner out of sight and kept right behind her all the way until the turn. Maseeha (Chinoy) was the first to show up in the straight but was soon overshadowed by the presence of the mighty duo – Sweeping Success and Noble Prince. Then began a pulsating duel, as neither was giving an inch. If it was Noble Prince holding a slender edge before the final furlong, Sweeping Success wrested the initiative back at the distance post. Both were equally well supported by the racing enthusiasts and the cheers were deafening as they fought tooth and nail going for the wire. With a hundred metres to go, one thing was clear – the bob of the head would be decisive! Necks craned in bewilderment as to which of the two stalwarts was going to prevail. A ‘dead-heat’ would have been a just conclusion, but sport can be as ecstatic, as it can be cruel. The final stride sent the Appoo camp to ecstasy as Noble Prince was better on the day. No ‘hard luck’ factor here, as both had an equal chance and the winner got the judge’s nod by a skimpy margin. A delighted Capt. Jamshed Appoo was basking in glory. It was a great race and a greater victory. His first Indian Classic success with trainer Padmanabhan could not have been a better thriller. A ‘pot boiler’ victory is always more exciting. The glee was evident on trainer Padmanabhan’s face. “It was a great race and I have no complaints with the outcome. It was a big relief too, as I had not saddled a single winner for Capt here in Mumbai, his home turf. We have had many successes elsewhere but I was worried that my Mumbai campaign with Capt Appoo never had a happy-ending for too long now. I was afraid I would have to seek new employment,” joked ‘Paddu’. “I am a relieved man now and Noble Prince has set the record right,” he concluded. For the Poonawalla Breeders, Noble Prince took their tally of Classic Winners to a whopping triple century. They are far ahead of any other Stud Farm and Placerville, the most successful Sire once again came to the fore as the lead Sire and the joy was even more so as even Sweeping Success, the runner up is a progeny of the same wonder Stallion. “It was a great feeling to see two of our bred horses put up such brilliant performance. It could have gone either way and this was a fitting finish for this prestigious race,” stated Zavarey Poonawalla. The HDIL Indian St. Leger is a true test of high quality speed and it requires immense stamina as well to stay the distance and the zestful finish of both Noble Prince (Placerville–Amazing princess) and Sweeping Success (Placerville–Lady Moura) endorsed the stupendous quality of the two great horses. Kelly Kotwal, Marketing Director of the Poonawalla breeders, who received the breeder’s memento, said, “This is a proud moment and the finish was as delightful to watch as it was heart-stopping. It was a special moment as this victory gave us a great landmark – the Farm’s 300th Classic. This pitched battle in the home stretch will be itched in my memory forever,” quipped Kotwal. The two Placerville progenies were a cut above the rest. Maseeha gave a good account of himself and ended a commendable third. Gobelin improved from the dead last position to run in to figure in the frame. None of the others was up to the task. Thus ended the glorious trial Classic events, Sweeping Success officially added the HDIL Indian Oaks crown to her victory in the Johnny Walker 1000 Guineas (Gr 1) after Yana was stripped of the title for having tested positive to a banned substance and the subsequent confirmation of the second sample as well. Bourbon King won the Johnny Walker Indian 2000 Guineas. Hotstepper won the McDowell Indian Derby and now Noble Prince completed the Season’s Classic list winning the HDIL Indian St. Leger 2008.