HH Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the twenty-fifth Maharaja Of the Kingdom Of Mysore, who ruled from 1940 until the monarchy was abolished in 1950, but continued to hold the title of ‘Maharaja’ until the princely states were also abolished in 1971. He passed away in 1974 and it was in 1977 that this race was framed to honor his association with the sport. The race was first run on 26th February 1977 as the “Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Gold Cup” at a distance of a mile and won by ‘Yours Mine And Ours’. The first 15 editions were run at a mile, but the distance was shortened by a furlong to 1400m and has stayed so ever since.  The race used to be run during the back-end ofthe Bangalore winter season (March) until 1998 but has since been run in the early part of Bangalore Summer season.

The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup (Gr.3) is the first graded race of this much-anticipated Bangalore summer season and the field of 9 horses promises enough action to gratify that anticipation. All the horses are running after a well-deserved gap of 12 weeks (except Royal Sceptre) and hence how much the form would be a factor in deciding the outcome on Sunday will be a matter of discussion. The field has two outstation challengers, but no fillies/mares. The recent rejig in rating of horses at BTC has popped up some surprising numbers, and the average field rating stands at 109.

In a parallel world, if the horses were literate enough to be able to read race previews, being mentioned first in an article would have definitely been a matter of pride for them. The highest rated (117) five-year old gelding Mauritania (Excellent Art – Classic Sky) surely deserves that moment of pride. Mauritania won his last start in The Suresh Mahindra Multi Million (Gr.2) at Hyderabad, trouncing both Costa Brava & Tutankhamun. He has shown tremendous ability of always being in the fight having finished in the top two in 13 of his 15 starts. Having won 4 times at Bangalore at different distances and 4 times at 1400m at different centres shows the kind of fortehe carries at this course and distance. Mauritania will miss his regular rider David Allan who rode him all throughout the last winter, and will be partnered by A. Sandesh on Sunday. He carried 58kgs in his last start where he won by 3/4 lengths in a smart timing of 01:23.60 and hence the top weight of 60kgs shouldn’t be matter of apprehension for him. The record time at the course for 1400m is 01:23.20 by Serjeant At Arms in 2017.

Though horse racing is a multi-participant sport, it has witnessed some mouth-watering match-races over the years. One such rivalry is turning out between Mauritania and Tutankhamun (Phoenix Tower – Dancerllon). The head-to-head scores were at levels, until the former won The Suresh Mahindra Multi Million (Gr.2) and went up 4-3. Tutankhamun will be up against his regular rival to square that figure back to levels, carrying an equal handicap. He is a winner of 9 of his 22 starts, but has been winless for quite sometime now. What speaks in his favor is his record over 1400m. Tutankhamun has won 5 times out of 8 at this distance and managed to do well in the rest of the3 races. If the last run is at all a yardstick of comparison for Sunday, then Mauritania undeniably scores over Tutankhamun, at least on paper. However, Tutankhamun has ‘impressed’ in his recent morning trackwork and the fitness will be the key factor on Sunday.

Cambridge (Burden Of Proof – Chimerique) is an impressive contender in the fray, with 9 wins out of 14 starts, and has been off the board only once. Cambridge started his career a little later than the others but has done well to catch up with his peers. He was unbeaten in 6 races throughout 2018, with half of them being in Graded company. He was pitted against superior opponents in his next 3 starts in 2019 and performed below par. He has won 4 times out of 5 at this distance, which surely is his forte. Cambridge has had a change of stable recently, and will run in Bangalore for the first time.

A lot of horses show great promise in the initial phase of their career, but a very few succeed in carrying that form in the later years. One such contender is Captain Courage (Admiralofthefleet – Celestrella). He grabbed attention by winning five straight races in 2015-16 but could win only once in next 13 starts. Captain Courage hasn’t remained the same since then without P Trevor in the saddle. His Bangalore record too hasn’t been exemplary; he stands winless in 5 starts here.That Captain Courage is not a 7-furlong horse is a well-known fact and hence this race might just be a lung-opener for him. 

Speaking of “courage” gives an instantreminder of Accolade (Burden Of Proof – Alnasreya). He won The Poonawala Breeders Multi Million (Gr.1) in 2016 with admirable turn of foot and promptly made an enormous reputation in the country. Despite stamina limitations, he was being touted as a classic contender, but was unfortunately made to revert to middle distances. He won The Pune Derby (Gr.1) in 2016, but has won just once after that and has been winless in his last 12 starts thatspans 21 months. His record at Bangalore too has been patchy. Accolade, the richest stake earner (2.54cr) in this field badly needs to get that monkey off his back soon. 

Another winner of The Poonawala Breeders Multi Million (Gr.1), Corfe Castle (Excellent Art – Miss Danehill) will carry the top weight. The half-brother of wonder filly Ruffina, has performed decently over his career of 12 starts. He finished in top two in his first 10 starts, but his Invitation weekend attempts went horribly wrong. He ran the Sprinters Cup and Super Mile the following day, but the 1400m race would probably have better suited him.That Corfe Castle is a 4-year old gives him enough room to improve in front of this field.

Another 4-year old in the field is Rikki TikkiTavi (Excellent Art – Stravella). He won on his first start in February last year, but couldn’t win after that in his next 7 races. Rikki TikkiTavi targeted the summer classics here last year and has run in close attendance of Sir Cecil & Star Superior. In 8 runs, he has shown tendency to be in the firing line and carrying the bottom weight might give him some advantage.

Royal Sceptre (Ace – Premier Collection) is the only horse in the field who didn’t run during the Invitation weekend. He has won 7 times out of 18 starts but all of them came in handicap company. His record gives an indication that he might be better at distances longer than 1400m. Smile Stone (Juniper – AlamJeha) is a veteran of 78 races, and runs with a very slim chance of winning but can never be overlooked.