A SENSATIONAL DAY FOR THE POONAWALLA GROUP
-
- 10 March 2020
On the day when the 30th edition of the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million was being run the people who conceived the very concept of such a race had a sensational and eventful day with half the races on the day being won by the Poonawalla Group horses, with the most remarkable being the 1-2-3-5-6 in the big race itself. No effort was spared to attract the crowds to the venue and it paid off with numbers almost matching that of Derby day. There was colour, glamour and excitement, food, bubbly and loud cheers as fans relaxed on the front lawns or at the rails shouting hoarse for their choices.
Silver Flames
The excitement of the day started with the Altaf Hussain-trained Silver Flames (Leitir Mor-First And Only One) the hot favourite, winning the Kumar R Dalal Gold Trophy by a nose. There was palpable tension in the air as the judges decision took a while but it all ended well in favour of the progeny of Leitir Mor, whose rampage continued through the day.
Fanfare
The Mystical Cup run over the mile and a half was won by the race favourite and S K Sundrji-trained Fanfare (China Visit-Veena’s Star) by three lengths.
Joaquin
Two favourites had won so far, so punters were expecting the trend to continue. El Capitan, the son of Excellent Art was expected to win the Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Milion but unfortunately was overshadowed by the Shazaan Shah-trained Joaquin (Saamidd-Phoenix) who won the race by 1½ length from Market King. Keep an eye on this one, he finished third to Golden Oaks in the B K Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi Million, four lengths behind El Capitan who finished in second.
Forest Flame
Before twilight hit the skies, eleven horses looking their very best and trained to perfection for the richest juvenile race walked into the parade ring for the crowds to assess and pick their winner. Four outstation horses laid their claim to the title with the S S Attaollahi-trained Forest Flame (Leitir Mor-Memory Bay) going out the firm favourite for the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million. Lombardy, Golden Oaks and Violin led the field at the start, Air Blast was tucked in on the rails with Forest Flame alongside, they were followed closely by California, Successor and Giant Star and in the rear were the trio of Taimur, Excelerator and Super Girl. The front runners were all beautifully poised to strike as soon as they had turned for home. And as they did, Lombardy had Golden Oaks breathing down her neck, while Air Blast left the rails with Forest Flame on his, out inching closer. Golden Oaks got the better of Lombardy while Forest Flame was urged to get past Air Blast. Gaining full momentum, Forest Flame stretched away easily to deny Golden Oaks a chance at victory, winning the race by 1¼ lengths. Lombardy finished 3½ lengths away in third. The first three home were all by the Poonawalla Group-owned Leitir Mor that has now established his credentials on the big stage. In fifth and sixth were Giant Star (Excellent Art) and Successor (Leitir Mor) which made it a 1-2-3-5-6 in this prestigious juvenile race which is not only a very creditable achievement but also a rare one.
Makhtoob
There was a stunning finish in the Florrie & Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy that was won by the S K Sunderji-trained Makhtoob (Speaking of Which-Adara). A head separated the winner from Sunrise Ruby who was the same distance away from Golden Hind in third. Rainbow Trout was a trifle unlucky in the final run in finishing 1¾ lengths away in fourth. The trophy was presented by Mr Solomon Sopher, a longtime owner and stalwart of racing who sponsored the race in honour of his parents. In the late 40’s his uncle raced horses in Ooty and Kolkata. He too has had a fair share of great racing victories; Linden Flora; Cartier (Indian 1000 Guineas); Prudential Champ (the first Pune Derby in 1984, owned jointly by Poonawalla and Kumar Dalal); Recardo (Sprinter’s Cup in Madras 1986, jointly owned by R.M. Shah); Nauvkhal (Indian 1000 Guineas); Menorah (St. Leger); All Beauty (Indian 1000 Guineas) ; Exhilaration (Indian 2000 Guineas) jointly owned by Dr. Ramaswamy and Poonawalla; Celestial Haven (the Oaks in Madras); Silver (St. Leger in Calcutta); Exhilaration (Indian Derby and Indian Turf Invitation in 1989); Miss XOlence (Calcutta Oaks) owned jointly with Dorji.
Free Gold
The Imtiaz Sait-trained Free Gold (Arazan) won the Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Trophy, by a long neck from favourite Gods Plan and was the third Poonawalla-bred horse to win on the day.
The Karthik Ganapathy-trained seven-year-old Regal Shot denied race favourite White River success beating him by 1½ lengths in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (Div-1).
REGAL SHOT
The last race of the day, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (Div-2) was won by on-money favourite, the Dallas Todywalla-trained Éclair (Arazan) by 1¼ from Honourable Eyes.
ECLAIR
