India today

[my miss storm cat]

Coco Chanel Shows Her Might
By Parjanya

Delhi. Nov 28, 2007

Coco Chanel taught a lesson to the top-class field while annexing the President of India Cup in a convincing style on Tuesday. The day also had two supporting events - Galloping Acres Stud Farm Cup and Border Security Force Cup - which were lifted by the favourites, Quality Assurance and Inspector Eagle respectively.

Grey filly Coco Chanel, who was running after a gap of six months, had no anxiety whatsoever while facing the starter along with the other 13 counterparts for the one of the oldest races of the Delhi racing calendar. She began her journey from the seven furlongs in sixth place and moving bit by bit sat closer at the tail of speedy leader Degas till the final turn. At the top of the homestretch, Ramandeep, who was adjudged the second best jockey after the champion K Narender Kumar last season, just helped the grey to start her winning campaign on a tight leash.

"I was not confident about her victory, she really ran beyond my expectations," Anupam told me. He added that after her arrival, Coco Chanel was unable to trot down clearly as she was treated for fractured fore and hind leg in Western India. "Keeping her on top hole was the top priority for me and the other problem with her was ‘the starting gate fobia’ that she developed during the Bangalore summer season. Due to this she was scratched out at the gate," Anupam said. "When she was brought back from Pune for the breeding purpose, I persuaded the owners to let her run and accepted it as a challenge."

Coco Chanel, last season's best local horse, had two easy victory to her credit in the Class I over the longer distance after finishing eye-catching third behind Celtic Princess and Bold Faith in the North India Derby, 2007. Now it is learnt that she will go to Mumbai soon. Jockey Malesh Narredu failed to bring luck for the favourite Dedication, who took his own time from the mid-field to reach the runners-up slot. Degas, who tired out to be fifth behind Image To Remember and Just Like A Woman, has come to hands and should soon spring a surprise over the shorter trip.

The day began with a surprise note of the upper division of the Appeaser Plate being declared void. Asian Express, who was stalled in the 13th draw, suddenly reared up and dislodged the jockey. Not only that, the gelding overturned into the gate and started disturbing Arctic Mist. By the time the front gate was opened to pull out Asian Express, all the gates flung open and three riderless horses along with the other three with their respective jockeys completed the course. However, the authorities made a quick and wise decision by voiding the competition.

Vision Remains landed a spoilsport finally in the lower division of the Apeaser Plate. Chasing the runaway leader Holy Warrior till the just over the final furlong, Ramparvesh helped the mare to taste victory. An encore is on the card for Vision Remains. Holy Warrior should make amends along with Gastronomique, who finished third. Barchetta bears watching.

Quality Assurance, a flopped heroine in her last venture, made no mistake with the support of "tongue strap" while coming out of the maiden status. Tucked on the fence in the third place, she was brought out by the visiting and the last time partner Imran Chisty to collar Golden Gun inside the distance post. The waiting tactics may help her to achieve some landmark over the longer distance. Pawan Sharma, who rode Golden Gun, again repeated the previous mistake of charging the colt too early.

The horse who has now become the talk of the turf is the late bloomer Inspector Eagle, who once again demolished the field over the seven furlongs. K Narender Kumar settled the colt in sixth position initially and improved him gradually before breathing down on the neck of Federico near the final furlong. He was so confident about the turn of foot of the mount that he started pipping over his shoulder after passing the leader. Arabian Tiger came from the hind group to finish second ahead of the dead-heat third place holder Federico and Great Ovation.

The last race saw a three-way finish, which finally went in the favour of late but fast finishing Show Off necking out Clean Bowled, who in turn was better than Heavenly Angel by a nostril. Clean Bowled, who took the shortest way, was alerting to the task a little late.

[my miss storm cat]

RP, no author listed.....

Mull Of Kintyre for India


GROUP 2 winner Mull Of Kintyre has been purchased by Capricorn Stud Farm in India, where he will replace the recently deceased 2,000 Guineas winner Tirol.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien for Sue Magnier, Mull Of Kintyre won two races as a juvenile, including the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes. He also finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The son of Danzig, who is closely related to leading US sire Broad Brush, was retired to Coolmore's base in Ireland in 2002, but was moved to the Ashford Farm for the 2007 season, where he stood for $10,000.

To date, Mull Of Kintyre has sired four stakes winners, headed by the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Araafa and Group 3 winner La Dancia.

[NoChanceToDance]

They certainly mean business, don't they.

Not too long ago their was a lost girl, angry and upset about hearing of her beloved little horse being sold to India. Now it looks like little Ace-ie is in great company, doesn't it, mmsc

[my miss storm cat]

Like Ms. Dr. John H, Diva, said.....

Maybe he'll be the Sunday Silence of India!

[my miss storm cat]

Noverre Sold To Indian Stud
(no author listed)


Saturday, 5 January 2008: Darley shuttler Noverre has been sold to Indian stud interests.

The son of Rahy is to stand at Sultan Singh's Sohna Stud Farm.

Noverre, winner of the G1 Sussex Stakes, went stud in Ireland in 2003 and has since shuttled to Australia where he sreved the 2007 season at Darley's Victorian property.

Sohna Stud is among India's highest profile intrenational breders, recently buying 28 mares at the Goffs November Sale.

The stud also stands STorm Bird stallion Conquering Hero and Desert Prince's half brother Ontario, by Storm Cat.

Noverre, fromn the Northern Dancer mare Danseur Fabuleux, is a three-quarter brother to Arazi and was disisqualified as the winner of the French 2000 Guineas (Poule d'Essai des Poulains) after a positive test to a banned substance.

He won four races and was also placed in the St James's Palace, Queen Elizabeth II and UAE 2000 Guineas, Dubai Duty Free, Lockinge Stakes , Sussex Stakes, Juddmonte International and Champion Stakes.

Hre has sired six southern hemisphere winners among 67 winners and his stakes winners include Miss Lucifer, Nijoom Dubai , Elhamri and Profit Report.

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/br...D=118678&id=FP

[my miss storm cat]

UAE.....

Top UAE-based jocks head to India


Mick Kinane, Frankie Dettori (pictured) and Richard Mullen all fly from Dubai to India today (Saturday) to take part in the Group 1 McDowell Indian Derby, the country’s biggest race, tomorrow.

The most valuable race in India, worth around $200,000 to the winner, it is contested by four-year-olds and Colm O’Donoghue and Richard Hughes are also riding in the race.

The field of 19 is the biggest in recent memory and Dettori will ride Golconda Derby winner Retribution but O’Donoghue rides hot favourite Bourbon King who has won his previous 10 starts, including the Kingfisher Derby and Indian 2000 Guineas.

[my miss storm cat]

Hotstepper wins, Kinane up.