GOLDEN GUEST COMPLETES A HAT TRICK WINNING THE F D WADIA TROPHY, GR.3

The race that acts as a pointer to the Classics attracted a field of eight runners, with all eyes on Trouvaille, the winner of the Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship clearly the market favourite expected to lead the runners to the post. Unfortunately the race did not go his way with the Dallas Todywalla-trained Golden Guest (Excellent Art-Queen’s Guest) making it a pillar to post victory under jockey P Trevor.

Golden Guest was soon into the lead with Kildare taking a slow start. The leader was followed by Storm Breaker and Queens Gate, Princess Annabel and Mzilikazi, followed by Kildare, Trouvaille and Mirabilis. Before they took the turn for home the field was closely bunched with Kildare making ground on the outside and the favourite Trouvaille still in the rear about to take the turn widest of all. Golden Guest led the field into the home run with Storm Breaker trying to gain ground on the leader while Mzilikazi maneuvered on his outside to make a challenge. Golden Guest was relentless, going strongly to the line while Mzilikazi gained ground on the outside finishing 1¼length in second. Mirabilis, who was patient at the rear of the field for most of the trip, finished 1½length away in third with Storm Breaker who tracked the winner for most of the trip in fourth. Trouvaille disappointed in fifth but will try to make amends over the mile.

Completing a hat trick of wins, starting with a win in Mumbai and two this season, the property of Mr Mukul Sonawala, Mr Dilip Thacker, Mr Suren Sanas and Mr Jehan Sataravala will be trained to go further, and the speculation as to whether he will get the trip or not will continue till he ventures over the classic mile. His dam, Queen’s Guest won 23 of her 49 starts and while most of her wins had been over sprint distances she did win a race when stretched over the mile.