NICKEY MACKAY BRILLIANT ON TROUVAILLE

The colts Classic was expected to be as open and exciting as the fillies equivalent with the Bangalore challenger Knight Templar adding excitement to the Western India contingent of Sultan Suleiman, Alexei, Trouvaille and Kildare. There was little separating these contenders, and a look at them parading in the paddock confirmed that success would boil down to the run of the race.

It proved to be as thrilling. Alexei went a bit wide from draw 10 at the start but was quickly brought back to settle at the rear while his owner mate Wizard Of Stocks and Knight Templer led from the front. Trouvaille was also content to sit at the rear of the field waiting for the right moment. As the heads turned for home in the Villoo Poonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas, Gr.1 Wizard Of Stocks increased the tempo all the while being chased by Knight Templer. From the rear the action began to take new dimensions. It was like the parting of the Red Sea with Alexei being urged to take the rail opening while the S K Sunderji-trained Trouvaille took the widest call of all, while all those in between seemed to be going nowhere. Alexei soon took care of Knight Templar while Nickey Mackay on Trouvaille was a shade behind him but travelling with tremendous momentum. In a fraction the fight was reduced to Alexei and Trouvaille as they headed to the line with Trouvaille getting his nose ahead at the line. It was a nail biting finish and a true run race. Timing of the race was 1:35.68s. In third was Knight Templar followed by long time leader Wizard Of Stocks.   

While David Egan got off to a great start on his first visit to India, Nickey Mackay took a while to get into the act but he certainly has got it going, for since winning this Classic, his first in India he is unstoppable. Having won the Pune Derby and now this Indian Classic the property of Mr Rajesh Monga has the big goal in sight.