Zuccarro`s performance in the Maharaja`s Cup over 2200m today was in my view the best ever performance seen on an Indian Race Track so far. It was worh a Time Form Rating of 126, What`s more he seemed to have something in hand. If I were its owner, I would try my luck and send him for this year`s Breeder`s cup in US. Over a sprint (1200m) the best ever performance was by Leopard Rock and by Ruffina some years back also worth a TFR of 126. It is astonishing to note that both horses Zuccarro and Leopard Rock are by KINGDA KA, who was also the sire of Valentino the horse I had a 25 % share in.
Incidently, Encino`s performance in the 3rd race is impossible to believe. Some years back I had a long discussion , on Horse Talk as well as with Major Nargolkar regarding Mauritania`s course record timing of 69.9 seconds over 1200m. He played the video of the race and rechecked the timing and found it to be wrong by as much as 1 second. I expect a similar error in Encino`s timing. The winning post in Bangalore is higher than the 1200m starting stall location by as much as a 3 storied building, and a timing of 70.06 s (Encino`s) is equivalent to 67.95s which is impossible to believe considering the horse carried 61 kg. Either the timing is incorrect or the starting stalls were placed at less than 1200m from the wp.This needs to be checked and the correct information should be recorded in the race books.
13 Replies
Ksmrow said ...
12-Jul-2026
I think prolonged dry weather due to elnino effect with wind speed of 30 to 40 kmph may be prime reason for fast timii of all horses ran in last week and derby weekend I think track varient reading as for of normal calculation can't project true strength of horse infact a hyped projected TMR is more possibility and beyond to pinpoint in exceptional weather conditions
Syed. said ...
09-Jul-2026
Invitation Cup.
Winner - Zucarro.
2nd - Fynbos
3rd n Fourth Most Probably Margaret's n Dartagnan.
Maverick said ...
08-Jul-2026
Sir,
I was great fan of your sagar sir and major sir articles.Happy to see you back with a thread. First of all kudoos to pesi team and owners for keeping horse in pink condition and next owners for showcasing/selecting the elite athlete.
The way it won claps for him.
My worries apart from winning is that the 6 year old gelding won from the horses which never won above 1800 most of them. Excluding some like positano, redefined which are aiming for different races and coming from garage. The quality of horses or races that I used to watch in good olden days were missing a lot. We all know that when the bunch was not a elite one the timings also will be more superior than real as per my knowledge. In India we need so much better or best horses. But the style it won hatsoff for the team. We need more best athletes to enjoy the thril.
Prem Mishra said ...
07-Jul-2026
Sagar sahab
I checked ENCINO timi ng with my stopwatch it's exactly showing the same. I measured from the moment gate opened and when it crossed the winning post Actually the pmr was 3cm which is very very rare on Bangalore track.Tgat is the reason most of the timings recorded were faster.
Thanks
Chakri said ...
07-Jul-2026
ZUCCARO has beaten the likes of ALFONSINE and EVALDO(7 years old)Let him beat real horses in Invitation than we can evaluate his real strength.Till than we have to keep our fingers crossed.
Albert Khare said ...
07-Jul-2026
Hi Sagar Saab
Nice to see you actively following racing.
My first thoughts while watching the replay of the race, man this is a very classy field how did Z win so comfortably.
I was wondering (if fit) where will this horse reach or should aim, and I open HT and find your thread.
The manner of victory seems ridiculously easy!
The logistics of travelling with a horse out of India is dissuasive, yet they have travelled with another very special horse SAA to USA so why not.
I honestly don't know enough yet wish they try down under or even Japan
Take care sir
P.S I still cherish your gift which was a prize I won in finishing in the money for the 4 Derbies contest I think.
Dev 77 said ...
06-Jul-2026
In the spot light
Mystical
Warhammer
These are the best horses which won .
Dev77 said ...
06-Jul-2026
Spot on deserved to run in Dubai duty free race which once mystical won but late padmanabhan sir put him in graded race.
Danish Samad said ...
06-Jul-2026
Chikonda sheer
How many classics Vivek G has won and what is his experience in horse racing.
Regards
Chikonda Sheyker said ...
06-Jul-2026
ZUCCARO
Having great legs that can be turned at any time
Jockey vivek said he is enjoying riding & he said I will never see a horse like this in future
Banglore all classics belongs to pesi shroff & vivek
Danish Samad said ...
06-Jul-2026
@ Sagar ji
If ZUCCARO is capable of competing in Breeders cup USA
Than what are the capabilities of horses like JULIETTE,ADJUDICATE,WAR HAMMER AND SIE CICIL?
Regards
Prem said ...
06-Jul-2026
No no no.. sir you are going in wrong direction the correct timings is 1.706 sec...so no comparison...
Danish Samad said ...
06-Jul-2026
@ Sagar ji
If yesterday ZUCCARO broke course record of STAR SUPERIOR.
Please note yesterday per was 3 cm and ZUCCARO carried 57 kgs whereas STAR SUPERIOR clocked 2 14.93 and carried 60 kgs with pmr 3 3 cm.
If we adjust these figures they are of same merit.
Do not read too much in these timings.
Horses like LUX ETERNA is clocking 1.23.00 something which is much better than class timing.
Do not read too much in these timings
Regards