Moonlight romance for Indian oaks
MUMBAI: Two superstar fillies of the current classic crop - Siachen and Moonlight Romance - will renew their rivalry again in the HDIL Indian Oaks (2,400m) to be run at 5.30 pm at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday.
The Ladies Derby - the third classic race of the Mumbai Season - has six contenders in fray for a total purse of Rs 75,30,000. But the race seems restricted to two super fillies. It is difficult to predict which one of the two will come back home in flying colours.
Vijay Mallya-owned Siachen has beaten Moonlight Romance twice before, but the present form of the Cooji Katrak-trained filly suggests that she might turn the tables this time. She has been improving during the morning work-outs and appears in forward condition.
Rakesh Kumar Wadhwan and Prem Tharani-owned Moonlight Romance has won four of her seven career starts while finishing second in the other three. Siachen, on the other hand, has won four times in her five career outings. She has finished second in the other race.
Moonlight Romance galloped over the distance of 2,000 metres while winning the Bangalore Summer Derby where Siachen was absent. But the Jaggy Dhariwal-trained Siachen has never run beyond 1600 metres. And that`s where the catch is. Will she stay the extended 800 metres distance?
"Only time will tell," says veteran trainer Magan Singh Jodha. "Moonlight Romance enjoys an edge on this count," feels Jodha. "Moonlight Romance looks a much improved filly than when she ran last time," opined veteran trainer S Mangalorkar. "A lot, however, will depend on the pace of the race," he added. Moonlight
Moonlight Romance has two stable-mates running in the race _ Sun Elegance and Sunlight. They will - in all probability- try to expose Siachen`s stamina by setting a scorching pace.
A lot will boil down to the riding ability of Richard Hughes (Moonlight Romance) and Christopher Hayes (Siachen). Both are proven saddle artists and it will surely be a thri! lling af fair. There are 11 races on Sunday with first starting at 12.30 p.m.
Selections
1. Sweeping Success Trophy (1600m): Magical Mantra 1, Fluent Victory 2.; 2. Harrish Mehra Trophy-Div-II (1200m): Ocean Sensation 1, Houdini 2.; 3. P D Avasia Trophy (1200m): Illustrious 1, Sea Treasure 2.; 4. The Satinello Trophy (1600m): Confiserie 1, Deep Purple 2.; 5. Rajpipla Trophy (1600m): Star Alliance 1, Native Knight 2.; 6. Harrish Mehra Trophy-Div-I (1200m): Mystic Temple 1, Star Miracle 2.; 7. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy-Div-I (1000m): Royal Gesture 1, Albuurz 2.; 8. The Gool S Poonawalla Million (Grade 3) (1200m): Amadeus 1, Amaretto 2.; 9. Lt. Col. Govind Singh VRC Trophy (1400m): Hill Rabger 1, Sledgehammer 2.; 10. HDIL Indian Oaks (Grade 1) (2400m): Moonlight Romance 1, Siachen 2.; 11. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy-Div-II (1000m): Perpetuation 1, Glorious Miss 2.; Day's best: Amadeus
The Ladies Derby - the third classic race of the Mumbai Season - has six contenders in fray for a total purse of Rs 75,30,000. But the race seems restricted to two super fillies. It is difficult to predict which one of the two will come back home in flying colours.
Vijay Mallya-owned Siachen has beaten Moonlight Romance twice before, but the present form of the Cooji Katrak-trained filly suggests that she might turn the tables this time. She has been improving during the morning work-outs and appears in forward condition.
Rakesh Kumar Wadhwan and Prem Tharani-owned Moonlight Romance has won four of her seven career starts while finishing second in the other three. Siachen, on the other hand, has won four times in her five career outings. She has finished second in the other race.
Moonlight Romance galloped over the distance of 2,000 metres while winning the Bangalore Summer Derby where Siachen was absent. But the Jaggy Dhariwal-trained Siachen has never run beyond 1600 metres. And that`s where the catch is. Will she stay the extended 800 metres distance?
"Only time will tell," says veteran trainer Magan Singh Jodha. "Moonlight Romance enjoys an edge on this count," feels Jodha. "Moonlight Romance looks a much improved filly than when she ran last time," opined veteran trainer S Mangalorkar. "A lot, however, will depend on the pace of the race," he added. Moonlight
Moonlight Romance has two stable-mates running in the race _ Sun Elegance and Sunlight. They will - in all probability- try to expose Siachen`s stamina by setting a scorching pace.
A lot will boil down to the riding ability of Richard Hughes (Moonlight Romance) and Christopher Hayes (Siachen). Both are proven saddle artists and it will surely be a thri! lling af fair. There are 11 races on Sunday with first starting at 12.30 p.m.
Selections
1. Sweeping Success Trophy (1600m): Magical Mantra 1, Fluent Victory 2.; 2. Harrish Mehra Trophy-Div-II (1200m): Ocean Sensation 1, Houdini 2.; 3. P D Avasia Trophy (1200m): Illustrious 1, Sea Treasure 2.; 4. The Satinello Trophy (1600m): Confiserie 1, Deep Purple 2.; 5. Rajpipla Trophy (1600m): Star Alliance 1, Native Knight 2.; 6. Harrish Mehra Trophy-Div-I (1200m): Mystic Temple 1, Star Miracle 2.; 7. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy-Div-I (1000m): Royal Gesture 1, Albuurz 2.; 8. The Gool S Poonawalla Million (Grade 3) (1200m): Amadeus 1, Amaretto 2.; 9. Lt. Col. Govind Singh VRC Trophy (1400m): Hill Rabger 1, Sledgehammer 2.; 10. HDIL Indian Oaks (Grade 1) (2400m): Moonlight Romance 1, Siachen 2.; 11. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy-Div-II (1000m): Perpetuation 1, Glorious Miss 2.; Day's best: Amadeus
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