“Did we just watch one of the best equine superstars to grace the Mahalaxmi turf?”  Now that would have been the question in almost everyone’s mind as they welcomed Sir Cecil with thunderous applause and a standing ovation as the grey rig returned for the photo-op after his first conquest at the premier racing center in the country. Sir Cecil kept his huge reputation intact as he galloped freely and displayed his superiority over his contemporaries in his inimitable style while conquering the second Classic of the season, the Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr1). 

Going out at cramped odds despite having ‘old foe’ Star Superior in top form as a formidable rival, Sir Cecil fully justified that aura of invincibility that he had built around him that prompted the bookmakers to offer paltry returns on his victory. And over the distance (1600 m) that Star Superior had threatened to edge out Sir Cecil the only time the grey was run close by any thoroughbred in the country, not too long ago. 

After the pair went their own ways to Mysore and Hyderabad achieving success in the Classics in their respective assignments, they were squaring up again, this time for the Indian Classics. Sir Cecil was the overwhelming favourite and only Star Superior was offered adds in single digits. The race panned out to the trends of the betting ring as these two outclassed the rest with Sir Cecil clearly showing his superiority over Star Superior. The latter though did give his connections and supporters something to shout about and was gallant in finishing second to a truly special talent. 

Excellent sped ahead to lead the field and the main contenders soon grouped close behind with Sir Cecil and Star Superior close behind and Sacred Roman and Awesome One forming the bunch in front of the ‘outsiders’ with the pace not particularly fast. Sir Cecil cruised past Excellent soon on turning for home and looked firmly in charge all the way. Star Superior stepped up pace and shook off those near him and went on an all-out attack on his adversary. That proximity made jockey David Allan go for the whip which he later claimed was just to ensure Sir Cecil stayed well ahead. David Allan looked over his shoulders not once, not twice but three times in the final furlong as if he was toying with Star Superior at the business end of the race! He won easing up and Star Superior can boast that he finished just-over-a-length behind the new Champion. Sacred Roman ended third, well ahead of Awesome One. 

"Sir Cecil is the first horse that I have trained to run a streak of eight victories on the trot. He has proved that he is something very special and I am glad to see him progress at such a fast pace. He is one of the best horses I have trained. As you all know, he has great talent with an attitude to match. Happy with his progress and I am looking forward to the classics to follow,” said trainer S Padmanabhan. 

Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan was quick to quip that Sir Cecil is his (Padmanabhan’s) pride and joy. “You know he took very ill recently and Sir Cecil has been on his mind all the time through that period. Sir Cecil’s successes have pleased him so much that I strongly feel Sir Cecil has played an important role in his recovery. He is back to work and is showing so much energy and passion to do what he loves doing most,” said Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan.   

Jockey David Allan played the perfect pro saying, “Oh I knew all the time that Sir Cecil would win and from any position. He galloped fluently and geared up well for the final charge in the homestretch. I was never really under any pressure at any juncture and had them all covered. Star Superior ran a good race too but I was never in doubt about Sir Cecil winning. Over longer trips he would do much better,” said David Allan. 

Sir Cecil (Win Legend – Elusive Trust, Dashmesh Stud) then, announced his arrival in no uncertain terms and this win was only a gist of what he is capable of achieving. He may run a race before the Indian Derby and he will be the overwhelming favourite in the Derby as well and from the look of it, he should tower over the rest over the longer trip too. The Indian 2000 Guineas is done and dusted and one can conclude that bigger glories await this Champion three-year-old owned by Mr Tegbir Singh Brar.