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BLACK PEARL’S SOLE THREAT IS A RUNAWAY ZOYA

By Epsom Ace | 15 Jan 2021 | KOLKATA


If anyone had dared to suggest before the running of the Calcutta Oaks on New Year’s Day that the filly Zoya might pose a threat to Black Pearl in the Calcutta Derby on Sunday, there’s absolutely no doubt that he would have been ridiculed and cast off as a racing ignoramus. However, things are not quite the same after the running of the Oaks, which was won effortlessly at every post by Zoya. Today, the classy filly by Multidimensional out of Yana has a rating higher than that of the hitherto unbeaten Black Pearl who too is blessed with an abundance of staying blood. His sire Planetaire is the son of renowned Epsom Derby winner Galileo while his dam Alvarita is also the dam of the super filly Adjudicate – the only horse to win the Invitation Cup twice. Having won his five starts till date effortlessly – including the 2000 Guineas on December 18 (after a 10-month lay-off) – there appears to be an aura of invincibility about Black Pearl. 

It will be a formidable task for the filly to break into this seemingly impregnable fortress that the colt has built for himself. Though the small Derby field of four, devoid of a recognised pacemaker, should help Zoya in her quest for “mission impossible”. Black Pearl’s stablemate Cliffhanger cannot be considered a pacemaker as he will be sporting different colours. Should the Vijay Singh stable choose to use him as a pace-setter for the “Pearl”, Zoya’s task will be that much more difficult. Other than that, her only logical ploy to get the better of this brilliant colt would be to open a long gap prior to the half-way mark and hope to hold on to her advantage post the “breather”. 

In the summer of 1980 at Bangalore, a similar four-horse field for the Karnataka Sub-Area Cup had witnessed the debacle of the mighty Red Chieftan (who incidentally ran in the famous MAM colours) with saddle-artist Jagdish in the saddle. He was a half-money public choice and considered a ‘certainty’ for the 2000 metres race. But the wily Waheed (who sadly is no more) on rank outsider Young Tipu had other ideas. He kept increasing his lead after every furlong to almost 25 lengths before the half-way mark. Thereafter, it was a case of “catch me if you can” and Waheed and his brave mount came up trumps. The “Chieftan” fell short by over two lengths! This little anecdote explicitly spells out the dangers of a runaway leader who has the potential to win.

The other filly in the field – Apsara Star – finished runner-up in the Oaks despite her saddle shifting – as reported by her rider. Nevertheless, she cannot be considered a realistic threat to either Black Pearl or Zoya.