CALIFORNIA SIZZLES IN THE GOOL S POONAWALLA MILLION, GR.3

The sun was shining brightly as California (Speaking Of Which-Godspeed) totally trounced the opposition in the Gool S Poonawalla Million, Gr.3 by seven lengths, establishing her credentials as a worthy contender for the prestigious Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million to be run in February. Needless to say it also establishes the great potential of Monarchos who beat her on her debut by 2½ lengths.

Exotic Queen went into the lead with Trinket and Recall Of You in tow, who were followed closely by California and Lady Lanette, with Sufiyah and Flame Of Thea the back markers. As they maneuvered the turn for home Exotic Queen led the field into the straight with Recall Of You in chase, California sneaked through with Lady Lanette on her wide out, while Trinket ran out of steam and joined the back markers. California streaked away extending the lead with every stride and was seven lengths away from Lady Lanette, Flame Of Thea and Recall of You at the line, covering the 6f trip in 1:11.72s. The Malesh Narredu-trained bay filly has won her first Group race very impressively and will look for more sunshine and glory when she takes on the big and competitive field of the Group 1 contest.     

Her dam Godspeed is a Classic winner having won five of her eight starts, thrice over the mile and twice over 7f. She is the winner of three Black Type races- the Bangalore Summer Million, Gr.3; the Deccan Bookmakers Fillies Championship Stakes, Gr.3 and the New Hope Indian 1000 Guineas, Gr.1. This is her first foal.

The property of Dr Ram H Shroff & Mr Raj H Shroff, Mr Chetan Shah, Mr Dinesh G Vazirani & Mrs B E Saldanha has immense potential and the excitement is apparent with the connections as they head towards their next goal.