India today

[NoChanceToDance]

this kinda sticks two fingers up to the people who told me India wouldn't be able to make it in the racing world......

Good job!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance

this kinda sticks two fingers up to the people who told me India wouldn't be able to make it in the racing world......

Good job!

* * *

INDIAN-BRED HOLDING COURT

TOP WEIGHT FOR SYCAMORE (G3)

Holding Court (IND) will become possibly the first Indian-bred horse to compete at Keeneland when he starts in the 13th running of the Sycamore (G3) on opening day. Calvin Borel will ride Holding Court, who will break from the inside post in the 1½-mile turf race for three-year-olds and up, worth $150,000.

A five-year-old son of Royal Kingdom (IRE), Holding Court made his North American debut on September 3 at Arlington Park, finishing sixth in the Rossi Gold Stakes at 1 3/16 miles on turf. In India, he won 11 races, including two of the nation’s Group 1 events; was in the money in 20 of his 22 races; and earned $285,815. Harresh Mehta owns Holding Court, who is trained by “Paddy” Padmanabhan.

The field for the Sycamore is as follows: Holding Court (IND) (C. Borel, 125 pounds); Desert Wheat (C. Lanerie, 120); Transduction Gold (J. Graham, 120); Louve Des Reves (IRE) ( J. Leparoux, 117); Flight Captain (GB) (G. Gomez, 120); Dreadnaught (R. Albarado, 120); Big Prairie (J. Castellano, 120); Silver Whistle (K. Desormeaux, 122); Bee Charmer (IRE) (S. Bridgmohan, 120); and Crown Point (R. Bejarano, 120).

Oh and here are pp's...
http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdf...donk_89613.pdf

[my miss storm cat]

"Allow Foreign Horses to Race in India"


Pesi Shroff, ace jockey turned champion trainer, is not unduly disappointed on Czar Alexander’s under-par performance in the just-concluded Nanoli Stud Pune Derby. Looking relaxed, the record eight times Indian Derby winner, offers a frank assessment of the race and issues concerning international racing. In an exclusive chat with our correspondent this is what he had to say:


Indiarace: Was the Derby failure of Czar Alexander a big disappointment?
Pesi Shroff: If any of my horse runs below form it is disappointing. In the Derby, Czar Alexander was expected to give a good account of himself, but somehow he could not live up to that expectation. Having said that, in every failure there is a lot to learn from. It’s a learning curve. But I must hand it to Gobelin, who ran a brilliant Race

IR: Everyone gets wiser after the event, what’s your post Race assessment?
PS: Well, there were a few pointers. You see, basically my horse prefers to settle at the back, he did not get to do it. The horses that were up in front finished fourth, fifth and second last. I had told the Jockey (C Alford) that even if he was at the rear end initially, it was okay. However, in a race the Jockey knows best. Czar Alexander was too keen and the jockey didn’t want to risk disturbing his rhythm and allowed him to run as he did. The Derby is a difficult race to ride in and one goes with the split second instinct.
I must also mention here that Czar Alexander got kicked on his left shoulder at the starting gates by Alvida. A blow like that can be unsettling!

IR: Let’s switch to the international arena. Many are of the view that it won’t be long before our horses to do well on international turf. Do you think we are really catching up with our counterparts overseas?
PS: I think there is a lot of work to do before we can really make our presence felt on the international front. First of all, do our breeders really have the confidence and are open to international competition? Will the breeders’ lobby allow foreign horses to compete in Indian racing? That would be the first step. Allow foreign horses to race in India. Then we are on course to really test ourselves whether we measure up to international standards. There should be the will and conviction to do it. This is the most genuine yardstick. Do we have the gumption to do it?

IR: Saddle-up, Astonish, Adler, Mystical…they have all won on foreign soil and more names are adding to the list. Do you see any talent in the current crop that will make it big?
PS: It was a proud moment when Saddle-up first tasted victory on foreign turf. Astonish, Adler, and more recently Mystical, have done us proud too! But these successes have been few and far between. The current crop is still peaking and there are a few interesting prospects. The way he is shaping up, Bourbone King definitely has it in him to go right up there. He is looking good and improving. The end of Mumbai season will throw a clearer picture.

IR: Many foreign jockeys are invited to ride in India. What’s the score on our jockeys riding abroad?
PS: In England & Ireland, Indian work-jockeys are the most sought after. We have a number of our boys who are professional work-riders there. My stable Jockey C. Ruzaan is currently riding in Canada. So, the opportunities are there.

IR: What has been your international experience?
PS: I have ridden in Australia, Japan, Nairobi and Bahrain. It was an enjoyable experience. I won in Bahrain and Nairobi, and in Australia and Japan…I ran close.

IR: A final question, do you miss your riding days?
PS: (Smiles), I enjoyed every moment as a jockey. I must say that I was blessed with a satisfying, long stint. That phase is now history. I am now concentrating on training and that’s where my focus remains. There is a lot of work ahead if I have to match my success as a jockey, in training and I intend to do just that.

Date:17-10-07

http://indiarace.com/

[my miss storm cat]

Okay well if anyone is gonna be there, tell Dr. Poonawalla his Ace-ie friend from So Cal sends her love.


Poonawalla Mysore Derby Attains a New High
By Pearcey



The Poonawalla Mysore Derby 2007 (Grade I) to be run on Sunday (Oct 28) promises to set new standards in terms of stake money being offered to the participants. With three final entries in Splendid Surprise ( Mysore 2000 Guineas winner), Star Team and Sprucespringstein contributing additional entry fees, total stakes have risen to over Rs 79 lakh. The winner is likely to get about Rs 47 lakh. This is a record for the Mysore Race Club. It is going to be the third richest Derby after the McDowell Indian Derby and the Bangalore Kingfisher Summer Derby (both these races are sponsored by liquor-baron Dr Vijay Mallya).

In India, the name "Poonawalla" is synonymous with huge events in Indian racing. The day they looked in to the Mysore Race Club, a couple of years ago, there was excitement in the air. Racing patrons at this small but extremely beautiful racing centre were expecting bigger and better racing, and they have not been disappointed. I have personally been visiting this centre for over 25 years. The changes in the last three years are spectacular. The new team at Mysore Race Club is also very vigilant and has set new standards in race supervision. The stake money on offer has vastly increased and is comparable to the best in the country. It is also reported that the tote collections at this centre have doubled over the last year. All in all, everything is moving in the right direction and we may soon see Mysore emerging as an independent racing centre.

The Poonawalla family is planning to make the event memorable for patrons who would be there on Derby day. In addition to other prizes, there will be a free contest of skill with the winner driving away a car. The entire family plans to be there with their numerous celebrity guests.

C Kanth Raj Urs, the youngest ever chairman at the Mysore Race Club and his team is putting up a huge stabling complex on a recently acquired site in Mysore. This is going to have 600 stables and a world-class equine hospital. In addition to this, Bangalore Turf Club is assisting them in putting up another 200 stables for housing the two-year olds prior to their arrival in Bangalore.

The entire complex is going to be set up on international standards. In his post-Derby speech at Mysore two years ago, ZS Poonawalla had stated that he "loved the Mysore race Club and the people of Mysore". Poonawalla will be accorded the honour of laying the foundation stone at the site on the morning of the Derby day.

[my miss storm cat]

Dear Ace-ie,

Happy Diwali.

Love and kisses, and smoochies and peppermints and, and.....

my miss storn cat

[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.