Pesi Shroff trained Temerity (Intense Focus – Narmina, Nanoli Stud) bounced back to her winning ways after an aberration in the Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr1) last month. After lining up a streak of victories leading up the Indian 1000 Guineas, Temerity was clearly in distress following her ‘ducking’ incident inside the gates during the stalling operations for the said race. Temerity simply did not gallop after jumping out, and her jockey having understood that something was amiss, trotted her careful back without causing her further duress, finishing last and about 30 lengths away. This obviously had the ‘experts’ write her off and the favourite for the Indian 1000 Guineas this time was at 8/1 in the betting ring. Temerity shrugged off the poor show and bounced back to her normal self, displayed her class and fitness to trounce the opposition with ease to claim the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr1) in a stylish manner.  

Book Thief played the role of a pace maker to the hilt, dashing away to the front and setting off at a moderate clip. Frosty was in second a good three lengths behind the leader, Mrs Patmore had Temerity for company and the rest were not too far behind.

Book Thief had played her role and began to fade away as Frosty took over, Mrs Patmore, this time ridden with the pace, looked good while surging past Frosty, but soon had Temerity coming after her. Temerity arrived with menacing strides and had little difficulty in sailing ahead with a furlong to go. Jockey Neeraj Rawal would do no wrong and he propelled the Shyam & Amay Ruia-owned filly astutely and increased the momentum to draw away from Mrs Patmore and land the spoils in a convincing manner. Mrs Patmore fought hard and had to keep fighting to ward off the fast finishing Silver Beauty to retain the runner up spot. Silver Beauty was ridden off the pace and finished on gamely to end close behind Mrs Patmore. Winter Renaissance did well to finish ahead of a couple of reputed fillies to figure in the judge’s frame.   

Dr Cyrus Poonawalla enjoyed dual success, first with his filly Ruffina nearly clipping the course record for the sprint and later in the last race of the day, leading in Lady In Red to conclude his day on a high.

Ruffina (Excellent Art – Miss Danehill, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) with David Allan in the saddle bettered her Debut performance with a scorching stretch run to run away with the race leaving the rest, including Summer Rays panting for breath. Positioned close along the rails in third as Goldie’s Pet and Summer Rays occupied the top two slots at the turn, David Allan ease Ruffina into a fine rhythm and when her opened up the throttle, Ruffina shot ahead like a trace of bullet stretching out with leaping strides to score a classy victory. She was split seconds off the record timing for six furlongs on this track and might have clipped it had she been extended just a little more. Ruffina showed that she is a top class sprinter and is poised to winner bigger laurels in her career. Summer Rays, a good type herself, was completely outpaced by the classy filly.

Lady In Red (Ace – Lady Angharad, Villoo Poonawalla Farm) also from trainer Dallas Todywalla’s yard as is Ruffina, scored a well ridden victory, David Allan this time timing his assault perfectly. Wild Jack was on a start to finish mission and led the field homewards. Dolphin was close behind the leader while Lady In Red found herself in the sixth spot approaching the turn. David Allan astutely switched lanes to be well poised in fourth with a clear stretch in front. Dolphin drew abreast with Wild Jack and the duo was going all out matching stride for stride. Lady In Red was inching close and with a furlong to go the trio were in full flight each one giving it all. Lady In Red picked up speed in the final 100 to surge ahead and carve out a well-fought victory. Wild Jack wrested the runner up spot from Dolphin to end a good second.

In an exclusive with Indiarace, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla expressed his satisfaction of enjoying a good day at the races. “Several memories flashed in the mind with the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks. My late wife Villoo and I met with horses and her passion for horses and racing was always evident. So this race, I feel, is a tribute for her love for horses and I intend to continue with the sponsorship,” said Dr Cyrus. “Temerity won well and calmed the apprehension of her well-being after the Guineas run. I have suggested time and again that any horse that falters seriously while stalling should be withdrawn. This has to be the norm. Temerity was the favourite for the Guineas and should have been withdrawn at the gates as a lot of public money was at stake. To safeguard the punters’ interest, if a horse falls or ducks under the gates, I suggest that the horse be withdrawn.”

On his two winners on the day Dr Cyrus said, “I was impressed with the way David Allan handled the fillies. Ruffina was exceptionally good and he eased her into the final run smoothly. Astride Lady In Red he showed an altogether different style of riding and David played his hand well in guiding her to win” concluded Dr Cyrus Poonawalla.

Big Sur (Win Legend – Validate, Dashmesh Stud) had to dig deep to ward off a lively challenge from Rochester and I reckon his run experience came in handy against the debutante. Big Sur was in front approaching the stands and accelerated well to surge further ahead. Rochester was improving steadily and covered good ground to draw almost level with Big Sur in the final furlong. A hard battle ensued as both Sandesh atop Big Sur and Zervan piloting Rochester going hammer and tongs hurtling towards the winning post. Sandesh just managed to stay ahead and win by a narrow margin giving the Sanjay Kolse ward his maiden victory. Rochester did well for a debut and one can count on him to go one better the next time.

Paramour seemed to have done everything right until Shivalik Shine (Rebuttal – Sweeping Story, Hazara Stud) did him in, in the last few strides to the winning post. Paramour slipped through the rails to get past Papakura and Rider on the Storm soon on straightening up for home. Hidden Soul improved to second soon while Shivalik Shine, trained by Malesh Narredu was speeding in from the outside. Paramour fought all the way, but Shivalik Shine produced that little extra to whizz past them all and score a thrilling victory.

Vice Admiral (Lord Admiral - Go Out Backwards, Sans Craintes Stud) trained by Rehanullah Khan was well ridden by ever reliable Sandesh to score an emphatic victory. Vice Admiral was never in the best of positions in the first half of the 1600m race and Sandesh nursed him smoothly to improve positions and stay clear of a possible traffic jam turning for home. Glorious Hymn showed a lot of spirit while surging into the lead early in the homestretch. Jeena and Royal Classic were close up with the new leader, but neither seemed a threat. Vice Admiral started to warm up and produced a good gallop past the distance post and when he picked up speed it was all over. Vice Admiral finished on strongly and won with a measure of comfort from Glorious Hymn. Care Free was the one to catch the eye as he came from a long way back, covered a lot of ground to finish in the money. The mare has been consistent of late and after this performance, should be rewarded soon.  

Miss Siagon (Rock of Gibraltar – Lothain Lass, Nanoli Stud) completed a fine hatrick and stays unbeaten in her budding three-race career. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad has done well to keep the mare in great nick since she won on debut at Pune. She took off in the straight with a scorching gallop unperturbed by Flashy Wings who was striding well too as they entered the final furlong. Jockey P Trevor rode out confidently to score by two lengths from Flashy Wings who too ran a good race. Charging Tigress kicked on to finish a decent third and has been consistent this season.

For the professionals, trainer Dallas Todywalla saddled a double, while jockeys A Sandesh and David Allan notched up a double each.