PREVIEW – CONTENDERS FOR THE SPRINTERS’CUP, GR.1 – STAYERS’CUP, GR.1 – SUPER MILE, GR. 1 – INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP, GR. 1

SEARCHING FOR CHAMPIONS
29 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH, 2020

While the Mysore Race Club had been successfully conducting racing under the rules of the Bangalore Turf Club, it was only a matter of time before it sought to become an independent Turf Authority. In 2013, it became the sixth and last club to be awarded this status. This the first time the Club is hosting the Indian Turf Invitation Cup. We wish them great success.

Apart from playing the fundamental role of providing the venue for a racecourse in Bangalore, the royal family of Mysore, with a vision far ahead of the times, laid the foundation for the Mysore Race Club in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills. Racing in Mysore had started around 1891 and the bonhomie at this course was a refreshing contrast to that of the other courses at the bigger centres, with normally secretive professionals willing to mingle with enthusiastic racegoers. The old-world charm of this racecourse, with its quaint gable-roofed buildings, its large paddock, where the winners were received with a flourish by the police band, and the presence of children, all made for a very relaxed atmosphere. While modernisation has occurred over the years, the course still bears a charming old look, the picturesque natural landscape adding to its beauty. The racecourse will be geared up and at its very best to welcome owners, professionals, officials and most importantly the champions, who will fight hard and fierce for the four Group 1 races.

We preview the form of the horses nominated for the four Group 1 races in order of their rating. Some horses have multiple race nominations and as confirmations have not come in we take liberty to preview them in the race to which we feel they have the best chance.

 THE BANGALORE TURF CLUB SPRINTERS’ CUP, Gr.1 (1200m) 

MULTIFACETED (Multidimensional-Dhaawiah) 5yo b g rated 126
The highest rated horse in this race has won five of his eight starts over the 6f trip and has proved his sprinting prowess will be a nightmare for the competition. Three ambitious attempts to try him over 7f-12f proved disastrous so now he is allowed to do what he does best over the 6f trip, having won his last three races in Bangalore over this distance. His last was a stellar performance in the Sprinters Trial Stakes, Gr.3 winning effortlessly by 6½ lengths in 1:10.62s, beating Knotty Ash, Mauritania and Tutankhamen. The frontline contender for the title is ready to take on the Western Indian speed champion, and with reputations to match, these two speed veterans will make the end very interesting.

KNOTTY ASH (Gusto-Dovers Hill) 5yo b c rated 118
This colt has been quite a revelation winning his share of races, even while taking on good company. He managed to get his long neck ahead of Mauritania, who finished a similar distance ahead of Tutankhamen in the Sprinters Trial Stakes, but was still 6 ½ lengths behind the winner Multifaceted. At best he should finish on board.

MAURITANIA (Excellent Art-Classic Sky) 6yo b g rated 117
The winner of the Suresh Mahindra Multi-Million Trophy, Gr.2 run over 7f in 2019 has not had a win since. He has raced six times, over 6f and 7f, has been on board on three occasions and in his last start was over 6½ lengths away in third to Multifaceted. This race will be tough to tackle, so he may be seen opting to make an appearance in another event over the weekend.

IRON AGE (Strong Suit-Intrigue) 5yo b g rated 115
A leading contender for this title has proved his ability beyond doubt, winning his last six starts in succession, out a total of 10 wins from 14 career starts. The last four have been Terms races. First the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy where he beat nominees St Andrews and Star Baron; the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million, Gr.3 which he won in 1:08.12s beating Intense Stylist and St Andrews; the Sir Homi Mehta Sprint Challenge, Gr.3 beating Intense Stylist and doing it again in the Dr. S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship, Gr.2 which was run in 1:09.84s. The southern challenger Multifaceted is in top form and is touted to be in the mood to take home the title, but it may not be possible without a tough fight from Iron Age.

CORFE CASTLE (Excellent Art-Miss Danehill) 5yo b c rated 110
He has won seven of his seventeen starts ranging from 1100m-1600m. He won the Governor’s Cup over the mile in Hyderabad then a month later lost over the same distance. On his last start he won the Kakatiya Million, Gr.3 by 3¾ lengths in 1:11.11s.

STAR BARON (Total Gallery-Soviet Angel) 5yo b c rated 108
His last win was the Bangalore City Sprint Championship Gold Cup over 6f, after which he has run four times without success. He was fourth to Iron Age in the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy by 1¾ length when conceding 3.5kgs to the winner. He finished second on his last two outings; by a short head to Knotty Ash in the Mysore Bookmakers Dasara Sprint Championship and then ¾ length behind Chief of Command in a Class I race.

INTENSE STYLIST (Western Aristocrat-Spica) 5yo b g rated 106
This staunch opponent to Iron Age has run on innumerable occasions trying to take the edge of Iron Age, but never succeeding to. He finished third to him in the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million, Gr.3 by 2¾lengths when receiving 3.5kgs from the winner. He got within half a length of the winner when receiving 4 kgs in the Sir Homi Mehta Sprint Challenge, Gr.3 and in his last attempt to topple the sprint star finished 2 lengths behind him at level weights in the Dr. S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship, Gr.2. In his attempt to be more than second best he will not only have to face his nemesis again, but also the southern challenger Multifaceted, that comes into this race with a tough reputation.

SAINT PETERSBURG (Air Support-Sovetskaya) 5yo b g rated 102
Beaten on two occasions by Multifaceted, and in particular his last outing in the Sprinters Trail Stakes in Bangalore where he came last, over 12 lengths behind Multifaceted.

 THE DR. M. A. M. RAMASWAMY STAYERS CUP, GR.1 (3000m) 

SACRED ROMAN (Holy Roman Emperor-Clicquot) 5yo b g rated 113
The defending champion won this race last year beating Raees by 4 lengths in 3:13.36s while receiving 2.5 kgs. Since then he has won the Byculla Club Trophy in 2:58.22s beating Raees by 3 lengths, while conceding 3kgs as well. He has had a warm up session finishing fourth in the Eclipse Stakes of India and is sure to put up a strong fight to retain the title.

COSMOS (Multidimensional-Hills And Stars) 5yo b g rated 105
The winner of five of his seven races had been on board on all his starts. He won a Class I race in Bangalore before his appearance in the South India Trial Stakes which he won beating My Opinion by 4 lengths when receiving 6kgs from him. Timing of the race was 2:32.82s. Having never gone beyond the mile and a half in his limited overs he should find it tough against seasoned stayers in the field.

RAEES (Sedgefield-Lost Perfection) 7yo b g rated 104
A seasoned stayer, he could not match strides with Sacred Roman last year losing this race by 4 lengths. Since then he has won the Suresh Mahindra Trophy run over 3200m in Pune, and was second to Sacred Roman in the Byculla Club Trophy run over 2800m by 3 lengths while receiving 3kgs from the winner. He disappointed in the Eclipse Stakes of India finishing down the field, 6¾ lengths behind the winner, Salazaar. Once again Sacred Roman got the better of him. He stays, but he not only has Sacred Roman to haunt him again, but other seasoned stayers so the fight is going to prove long and hard.

POINT TO PROVE (Multidimensional-Burooq) 5yo b g rated 95
This seasoned traveler has raced at four centres, having won just three races from 17 starts. He had earlier won over 10f and the mile, but it is the last race that he won that will have significance in this race. And that is the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Gr.3 run over 2800m which he won beating Whomakestherules, a Calcutta Monsoon Derby winner and Shivansh who won this races last year. Shivansh also beat Point To Prove in the Calcutta St Leger last year.
Long distance experience was further gained when he ran the Bangalore St Leger finishing third to Desert God and Roberta followed by the Golconda St Leger where he finished fourth to Desert God. He is a confirmed stayer but needs to prove how good he is by winning the race.

AMBROSIO (Multidimensional-Ambrosia) 5yo b g rated 90
This gelding has won four of his eight starts finishing second on all four other occasions. He won his last two starts, the Chamundi Million over 10f in Mysore beating Steinlight, Kambaku and Psychic Force in 2:02.75 and then won the Stayers Trial Stakes over the mile and a half in Bangalore beating Angelino, Treasure Striker and Secretive Force. He should put up a bold show.

ROYAL CRYSTAL (Western Aristocrat-Sparkling Crystal) 4yo b c rated 85
The winner of the Golconda Derby Stakes has decided to skip the Invitation Cup and extend himself in this test of stamina. Two weeks after his victory in the Derby he took on the big guns in the Indian Derby finishing 5th to War Hammer. He has now had a month’s break to restore energy levels and should run a good race even though running against more seasoned stayers.

ARECA LEGEND (Air Support-Senora Bella) 5yo b g rated 107
This gelding has had four wins over the sprint distance, the last being in the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, Gr.3 where he beat Lady Legend by a short head. He was last but one over the same distance and again unsuccessful over the 7f trip. Stable mate Knotty Ash has a better chance of making a bid.

REUNION (Dancing Forever-Ambos) 6yo ch g rated 95
He ran this race last year finishing almost a distance behind Sacred Roman. Since then he has run the Golconda St Leger trailing Desert God by 9 lengths, and in his last start finished fourth to Point To Prove and Whomakestherules in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2800m.

WHOMAKESTHERULES (Multidimensional- Pricewise) 7yo b h rated 107
Kolkata has been his favourite hunting ground but on his last outing could not get the better of Point To Prove in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup finishing 2¾ lengths away in second while giving 8kgs to the winner. Last year he finished sixth in the Super Mile, pitched to go the distance this year, although never successful over more than the 10f trip.

 THE MAJOR P K MEHRA MEMORIAL SUPER MILE, GR.1 (1600M) 

PREVALENT FORCE (Multidimensional-Prevalence) 6yo b h rated 124
This versatile horse has won half of his 10 races over distances ranging from 6f to a mile and a half, thrice over the mile. In the Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup over the mile trip he finished third to Star Superior, 3½ lengths behind Watchmyscript. His Chennai campaign started with a win in the Guindy Gold Cup run over the mile beating the likes of Cavallo Veloce and My Opinion, and was then involved in a blanket finish in the Dr M A M Ramaswamy Memorial Multi-Million, a short head and a nose separating Cavallo Veloce, Mauritania and Prevalent Force in that order. A top contender.

WATCHMYSCRIPT (Whatsthescript-Yas Marina) 7yo b m rated 114
Last year she was seen competing the Stayers Cup finishing ninth to Sacred Roman. Brought down to the mile the next time out she finished 2¼lengths second to Star Superior, 3½lengths ahead of Prevalent Force while receiving 8kgs from him. Winning the Bangalore Race Course 157th Year Commemoration Trophy over the mile on her last start has prepped her well for the task at hand.

COSMIC RAY (Burden Of Proof-Corsican Girl) 4yo ch f rated 103
The winner of the Mysore 1000 Guineas arrived at Mahalaxmi with a great reputation and displayed her tremendous turn of foot when she came from off the pace and nearly got the winner Gift Of Grace on the line, losing by ¾ length. She stayed on in Mumbai running the Rusi Patel Trophy, Gr.3 as favourite. Unfortunately success eluded her, this time by a long neck from 5yo Flying Visit. Now racing in the city where she won her Classic, she will be in the battle for the title. A top contender.

GLORIOUS DESTINY (Saamidd-Perpetual Glory) 4yo b ch c rated 103
This Chennai challenger has had two wins over the mile in his last three starts. He first beat Tudor Treasure by 4¾ lengths in 1:36.08s. In his last outing he beat Chief of Command by 2 lengths with Tudor Treasure in third. Now he has to take on the Classic brigade.

VIJAYS SINGHAM (Leitit Mor-Zarandja) 4yo b c rated 93
His first win over the mile was a Classic one. He managed to get the better of Consigliori by a neck in the Golconda 2000 Guineas, the race being run in 1:37.54s. Consigliori, the favourite had apparently lost a lot of condition and was unable to keep up the momentum. Vijays Singham style of racing indicates that he will need to have things going his way and while he possesses the talent he will need the luck of the race to succeed.

TRULY EPIC (Mull of Kintyre-Sun Control) 5yo b g rated 92
Truly speaking, he seems to possess stamina, having last won over 10f in Pune. He then raced over the mile finishing third to Tasawwur, and that was followed by two unsuccessful attempts over the 10f trip again. He has won over the mile on two occasions in his career but that will barely suffice against crack milers in such a contest.

COUNTRY MUSIC (Roi Maudit-Essence) 7yo ch g rated 91
The local challenger has had six wins from 41 starts the last being over the mile in the M Govindappa Memorial Trophy which he won in 1:35.41s beating Grand Tenton. Two weeks later he ran over the same distance getting beat by Garrison by ½ length.

TRAFALGAR (Western Aristocrat-Bluegrass Phenom) 4yo b c rated 81
The winner of the Calcutta Derby Stakes managed to keep the momentum going to the line starving of a real serious challenge from Tenno Sho who finished one length short of victory. Roughly a month earlier he threw tantrums at the gate and no amount of coercion could get him going for the running of the Calcutta 2000 Guineas, the race being won by Tenno Sho. In the 20 horse Indian Derby, he went into the gates peacefully but failed to make his presence felt. It’s a new course, though a smaller field, so if he behaves well he can be in the thick of things. A top contender.

GIFT OF GRACE (Speaking of Which-Appeasing) 4yo b f rated 81
The winner of the Indian 1000 Guineas succeeded in keeping the fast finishing Cosmic Ray behind her by ¾length at the wire. She will have to work harder this time round as Cosmic Ray left too much to do, too late and will perhaps be better positioned in the race this time round. Gift Of Grace was keen to annexe the Indian Oaks but could only manage fifth position in a race were all were overrun by Juliette. A top contender.

TENNO SHO (Phoenix Tower-Namibia) 4yo dkb g rated 79
The winner of the Calcutta 2000 Guineas was next seen in the Calcutta Derby Stakes where he finished one length in second to Trafalgar, who failed to get into the starting stalls in the Guineas. This will be another faceoff with his local adversary over a distance at which he has been successful on that singular occasion. Jockey Trevor Patel will make sure he is in the fight for the title.

 THE INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP, GR.1 (2400M) 

STAR SUPERIOR (Excellent Art-Ramjet) 5yo b rig rated 124
The winner of the Indian Derby in 2019 was third to Adjudicate and Desert God in this race last year. He is in top form having won five of the reel, the last being the Indian Champion Cup where he beat Adjudicate by ½length and Desert God by 5¼lengths. A leading contender in this race he will fight hard to be the first older horse to win the Invitation Cup.

DESERT GOD (Burden Of Proof-Running Flame) 8yo ch h rated 122
The absolute veteran of the track has won this race in 2016 beating Quasar and then half a length separated him from making history as the first older horse to win this race, when he finished second to Adjudicate last year. 2¼ lengths separated him from Star Superior in third. With the 2kg allowance taking its toll last year Desert God will have the advantage as both Adjudicate and Star Superior are now ‘older horses’ and will not have the edge. The sex allowance that Adjudicate will cling on to would not have made a difference taking into consideration of the distance verdict of 2019. However, Desert God has also become a year older and one has to commend his trainer on the marvelous job he has done keeping this horse at the top of his game for so long. Too make good this year, he will have to take fight hard to overcome 5yo’s Adjudicate and Star Superior, and the best of the 4yo brigade in Trouvaille. A leading contender.

ADJUDICATE (Multidimensional-Alvarita) 5yo dk b m rated 120
The winner of the Indian St Leger then took on the Indian Derby winner Star Superior in the Calcutta Gold Cup and the Indian Champion Cup losing on both occasions by 1/2length. This is going to be a race worth watching to see whether she will be able to turn the tables in the ultimate race of champions.

SALAZAAR (Burden Of Proof-Saddle Star) 7yo ch rig rated 112
The winner of the Golconda St Leger (2017) is still going strong. He travelled to Mahalaxmi and proved his metal winning the Eclipse Stakes of India run over 2000m. Since winning the Leger in Hyderabad he has not won again over that distance finishing fourth to Desert God in the Bangalore St Leger (2018); second to him in the Golconda St Leger (2018); and again fifth to him in the Bangalore St Leger.

MY OPINION (Dialled In-Love Me Good) 5yo ch h rated 111
The winner of the South India St Leger in Feb 2019 finished fourth in the Bangalore St Leger, beaten by Desert God, Roberta and Point To Prove. In preparation for this race he finished second to Cosmos by four lengths in the South India Stayers Trial Stakes when conceding 6kgs to the winner. Two weeks later he was forcefully ridden by S John to win the South India St Leger by a nose from Here And Now. Can’t imagine him taking on this grueling race in a weeks’ time.

TROUVAILLE (Surfrider-Highly Fashionable) 4yo dkb g rated 92
The best of the 4yo brigade, won the Pune Derby by 2¾lengths from Wizard Of Stocks, and the Indian 2000 Guineas beating Alexei by a nose. Wizard Of Stock was 2¼lengths away in fourth in the race. War Hammer’s astounding success in the Indian Derby made the rest of the field look pedestrian. Trouvaille finished in second, 2lengths ahead of Wizard of Stocks with Juliette a short neck away. With War Hammer out of contention, Trouvaille leads the younger contenders and looks to offer a stiff challenge for the title.

WIZARD OF STOCKS (Speaking Of Which-Margarita Rita) 4yo b g rated 89
The winner of one race over the mile trip from seven starts has placed well in the big races, but will have to take his game a notch higher to get the better of the opposition. Second to Trouvaille in the Pune Derby by 2¾lengths, he then finished fourth to him in the Indian 2000 Guineas by 2¼lengths. They were both way behind War Hammer in the Indian Derby and 2 lengths separated them at the wire. He has to pull out some magic to cover those impregnable two lengths where Trouvaille is concerned, and then he has the other multi-Classic winners to contend with. It will be tough.

JULIETTE (Musketier-Gimmesumsugar) 4yo b f rated 87
This light framed Classic winner almost didn’t make it to Mysore for this race. At the start of her travel she played up in the float and was brought back to Mumbai for attention to a superficial injury. Her trainer took no chances and accompanied her float back to Mysore. She finished third to Gift Of Grace in the Indian 1000 Guineas by 2½lengths when not given the best of rides, and then came out and won the Indian Oaks in telling style by 5¾lengths. In the Indian Derby she was fourth to War Hammer, 2lengths behind Trouvaille and a short neck behind Wizard of Stocks. If her travel odyssey has not taken a toll on her she will try to be up with the colts.

CONSIGLIORI (Air Support-Caprese) 4yo b c rated 84
The winner of the Deccan Derby run over 10f, lost condition after the race, and it showed when Vijays Singham managed to get the better of him in the Golconda 2000 Guineas by a neck. His front running style cost him the Golconda Derby which he lost by a neck to Royal Crystal. He totally disappointed in the Indian Derby, the 20 horse field was not to his liking and he finished down the field. A better strategy may result in a better race, but a lot remains on what the horse himself wants to do in the race.

ANJEZE (Win Legend-Angelique) 4yo b f rated 80
A multi-Classic winner that won both the fillies Classics in Bangalore, the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks and then finished second to War Hammer in the Bangalore Derby by 4lengths. She appears to have a temperament that worries her connections about travelling and hence she gave the Indian Derby a miss. She has never travelled out of her home centre so concern will be there as to how well she takes the trip to Mysore. But travel she must, and also be at her very best when she takes on the tough and experienced colts in the race.

PASO ROBLES (Arazan-Mawaheb) 4yo b f rated 76
She has won five of her eight races including the Golconda 1000 Guineas. In the Golconda Derby she had to contend with tougher opposition finishing third behind Royal Crystal and Consigliori, a neck and 2½lengths separating the first three. She has achieved Classic success in her home state but it will be tough for her to take on the multi Classic winners in this race.

SPEEDSTER (Pinson-Tinkerbell) 4yo gr f rated 66
This Bangalore challenger comes into this race having run second to Anjeze in the Bangalore Oaks by a length. In the Bangalore Derby she was fourth to War Hammer, 9¾lengths behind the winner and 5¾lengths behind Anjeze who finished second in the race. She has never won over the mile and will truly enjoy parading the paddock alongside the champions in the race.