ADJUDICATE WINS THE INVITATION CUP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SENSATIONAL STYLE

Barely recovered from the joys of winning the Super Mile, trainer James McKeown was leading in his second Group 1 winner in the day, Adjudicate. She is the first older horse to win this race, and the first to win it back to back. She has a list of outstanding achievements, which does not seem to sound so, when you take into account that she has only won eight of her 18 starts. It is the quality of her eight wins that makes her record so impressive. Seven of her eight wins are Group wins: Four Group 1 wins; One Group 2 and two Group 3 wins. She has been placed on nine occasions. Her total career earnings stand at Rs 3,52,11,943.

Adjudicate was coming into this race having lost the Indian Champion Cup by ½ length to Star Superior so naturally all eyes were on the Indian Derby winner Star Superior to deliver the goods. The Kolkata contingent though, strongly fancied their candidate as did the connections of Desert God, with little hopes being pinned on the Mumbai challenger Trouvaille.

There was action from the word go with horses trying to get into position with Consigliori, Speedster and Anjeze in the front. By the time the horses passed the winning post for the first time the favourite Star Superior was surprisingly attempting to get into the lead with My Opinion on his out. Desert God and Juliette were sitting mid bunch while Adjudicate was settled almost at the rear of the field. With the favourite in the lead Desert God got into position alongside with Wizard Of Stocks also getting into action. Adjudicate kept her momentum up in mid bunch while Juliette who was travelling three deep for most of the journey began to inch closer. Star Superior and Desert God led the field into the home stretch and it looked like the dual would intensify as they got closer to the line. Adjudicate had managed to maneuver her way towards the rail side and finding the opening started to launch a challenge on the leaders. Jockey Y S Srinath threw down the gauntlet, steering Adjudicate on the outside of both Desert God and Star Superior, going strongly with every stride, totally disregarding Juliette that came with a splendid run on the outside along with Anjeze. While the field converged forcefully to the line, the favourite faded away finishing a disappointing ninth. Adjudicate was resplendent as she passed the post in victory 1¾ lengths ahead of Juliette with Desert God ¾ length away in third. Angeze was fourth a further 1¼ lengths away.

There was extreme jubilation in the Khaitan and Nanda camps as she passed the post in victory and even though owner Arun Nanda was not at the venue, being unable to travel, there were celebrations galore in the owners lounge in Mumbai where the remarkable achievement was applauded. Son, Amitabh Nanda was very gracious in thanking all for the effort in making this happen.