Palazzio’s Sun rose to the occasion and scorched the turf with a blistering run to earn the title of the ‘Fastest Horse on Indian Turf’ with surprising ease. Taking on younger sprinters, the son of Alnasr Alwasheek and Palazzio swung into action from the start leading the pack on his own terms. Jockey Martin Dwyer executed the pre-race plan to perfection and the mission was accomplished without any bloodshed. Palazzio’s Sun kept a steady pace going as Ekhabinskya came around to join him ahead of Portrush and Forest Flair.

Ikaria, D’Artagnan was close behind and the rest were not too far away either. Turning for home, Martin stuck to the rails and still held Palazzio’s Sun from going all out even though Portrush tried to apply pressure. Only after crossing the 400, Martin asked Palazzio’s Sun to get down to business. Palazzio’s Sun accelerated but also started to shift out. But that hardly made a difference as he had a good momentum going and Palazzio’s Sun got better and stronger nearing the finish. Forest Flair went on all cylinders but came a cropper. D’Artagnan also made his presence felt in the photo for the minor placing to take the third spot away form Ikaria.

Owner Capt Jamshed Appoo was thrilled no end. “It was a long wait but Palazzio’s Sun has brought a lot of cheer. The narrow loss of his Dam Palazzio a few years back was frustrating and I have missed Sprinters’ Cup on a few occasions in the past. For me, Palazzio's Sun has sought revenge and I am truly happy at this success,” said Capt Appoo. “His class was never in doubt. Yes, he had suffered a set back after last year’s Sprinters’ and I had to re-schedule his program. He gained considerable over the months and his mock race in Bangalore was satisfactory.

He looked good and felt good in Mumbai and he has raced alongside tougher opponents before. He has run over a longer distance than the six (furlongs) and I knew he would last out if he made a dash for it right from the outset. Martin implemented the strategy with distinction and it is a pleasure to hold the trophy for the Vandrevala Sprinters’ Cup,” added Padmanabhan, trainer of Palazzio’s Sun. Jockey Martin Dwyer was modest in handing all credit to the trainer. “Paddy had it all covered. I did as instructed and never felt threatened at any stage. Palazzio’s Sun has speed and he kept going at a fair clip right from the outset.

A couple of horses came close at the bend but I knew I had the race well in control. He shifted because he leaned a bit but he never lost momentum. He won well,” commented Dwyer. Mr Zavarey Poonawalla, the breeder of the fastest horse in the country, was equally ecstatic with the performance. “Last year it was Oasis Star who we encountered so we were not too disappointed as we all know what a Champion she was. However, this year Palazzio’s Sun came into his own and showed what he is capable of. It was a splendid victory that makes us all proud,” concluded Zavarey.

Ms Simone Poonawalla, who received the Breeder’s Salver said, “I am immensely happy that Palazzio’s Sun won. I thank the trainer, the jockey and all the staff members who have done their bit and have contributed to this success”. It was a great performance from Palazzio’s Sun and the timing he clocked – 1:10:37 was not far from Oasis Star’s record of 1:10.10 on this track. Forest Flair and the others were decisively outpaced and this will go down as one of the best achievements on Palzzio’s Sun’s career.

Maseeha (Flitch – Six Crowns), bred at the Galloping Acres Stud Farm, displayed a rare grit and tremendous determination in humbling the opposition in the Vandrevala Foundation Stayers’ Cup. Always used to making his own pace, Maseeha this time did not take the onus on himself until well into the straight. Classerville briefly, then Cavaradosi led the small field all the way until into the straight then bowed out. Maseeha who was never too far from the leader, soon surfaced into the lead and jockey De Sousa had saved his best for the last over the gruelling trip of 3,000 meters. Maseeha shot into the lead with enthusiasm and galloped on gamely. Conceptual lit up with 300 to go but found it hard to get to Maseeha.

Spark Of Gold was the one to cover some ground and finished third. Classerville, who was right with the front-runners all through, just could not keep up and dropped out with less than a furlong to go. Maseeha clearly out lasted them all and earned the title of the Champion Stayer with conviction, clocking 3:12.23 against the course record of 3:11.63 standing in the name of Radical Force since 2004. Owner Mrs Tina K Dhanani was thrilled to receive the trophy and said, “Maseeha has lived up to his name. He has given me a lot of pleasure and he is very dear to me. There has been several moments of joy that this lovely horse has brought with him and this is truly the greatest moment of mine on the racecourse.”

Trainer Zadmal Singh stated, “Maseeha is packed with strength and stamina and he proved it by winning the most difficult test today. He loves to gallop on and there was no question of his fitness. His Byculla Cup victory over 2800m although in the stewards’ room, had been an ideal preparation and when I saw him fight with Highland Crown who I consider a very good horse. I only had to ensure that Maseeha was feeling good leading to the race and that he would easily last over the distance was never in doubt.”

Maseeha has achieved a tremendous run of success. Never hyped throughout his career, he has been the silent performer making people notice him only by his performance on the track. What a great reward for this consistent galloper! Maseeha, in his triumph in the Vandrevala Foundation Stayers' Cup, has proved that he has a heart as big as his lungs and the manner of victory clearly showed that Maseeha is here to ‘stay’.