The Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Derby (Gr 1) will run as the feature event of Sunday’s nine-race card at Mahalaxmi. There are 11 runners in the fray, but if the race is run true to recent form, it should be a straight fight between Fynbos and Baychimo, with Sovereign King having an outside chance.
Fynbos (Kingda Ka-Mahali) is a filly trained by Pesi Shroff, who already has three Indian Derby successes to his name, and Baychimo (French Navy-Lady Sergeant) is a colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, who will be looking for his first Indian Derby victory.
The pace of the race will hold the key. Fynbos, going by her Oaks win, may not settle too well if the Derby’s initial pace is too hot; but Baychimo (who shattered the course record in his last win), on the other hand, will simply relish that scenario.
On the Dynamic class factor, however, Fynboss rates decisively superior to Baychimo based on their last runs on the same day, and therefore, though I think Baychimo will be tremendously helped by champion Suraj Narredu’s brilliant current form as compared to Tom Marquand, the visiting jockey who will ride Fynbos, I have no hesitation in casting my vote in favour of Fynbos.
First race at 2.15 pm.
Selections:
Tattersalls Million (Class IV; 1400m)
Don Julio 1, Vincero 2, Savage Peacock 3.
Keki D Mehta Memorial Million (For 3y, Maidens; 1600m)
Puccini 1, Alexios 2, Notimeforcaution 3.
Rusi Patel Trophy – Gr 3 (For 4y&o; 1600m)
Santissimo 1, African Gold 2, Pride`s Prince 3.
Sir Homi Mehta Million (For 3y, Maidens; 1200m)
Lady Scarlet 1, Highland Spirit 2, Snow Girl 3.
Thackers Eclipse Stakes of India – Gr 2 (For 4y&o; 2000m)
Golden Thunder 1, Psychic Star 2, Regina Memorabilis 3.
Rattonsey Multi-Million (For 3y; 1400m)
Buckingham 1, D`Artagnan 2, Nebula 3.
Coromandel Gromor Million [powered by Coromandel International Ltd] (Class II; 1200m)
Western Star 1, Social Butterfly 2, Big Bay 3.
Queen`s Necklace Million (Class V; 1200m)
Ministry Of Time 1, Santana Row 2, Desert Classic 3.
Recommendations
Best bet: Puccini ((2-3)
Upsets: Majesticus (1-9), Thalassa (5-9) & Red Mist (9-8)
Today`s pools
Super jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Jackpot pool: I – 2,3,4,5,6; II – 5,6,7,8,9
Treble pool: I – 3,4,5; II – 6,7,8; III – 7,8,9
Tanala pool: All races.
