The Hindu : Zurbaran romps home with Invitation Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 24, 2003

Sport

Sport - Racing : Horse

Zurbaran romps home with Invitation Cup

By H. S. Manjunath

Trainer Padmanabhan (left) and joint-owner Mr. K.N. Dhunjibhoy leading in Zurbaran (M.J. Dwyer up), winner of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup in Hyderabad on Sunday. Right: Ms. Ameeta Mehra presenting the Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup to Mr. C.D. Katrak, trainer of Palazzio. — Photos: Mohammed Yousuf

HYDERABAD, Feb. 23. Zurbaran proved too classy for the opposition in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup at Malakpet this afternoon.

Palazzio put Saturday's Sprinters' Cup loss behind her and redeemed a modicum of pride by winning the Maj P.K. Mehra Super Mile Cup in a course record time as the curtain came down on a fabulous weekend of racing.

A fashion show and a record crowd provided the perfect backdrop for the most coveted race in Indian racing and Zurbaran literally scorched the turf to score an emphatic victory over Fabulous Star in the fastest time ever recorded in the country for a mile and half.

Martin Dwyer, who specially came down for this ride and was willing to be even a 'stand by' in case, Mallesh Narredu were to pick Zurbaran, had spoken eloquently of Peaks and Valleys-Cut of the Cloth bay colt's unmistakable class after the workouts.

He had the last word as he powered his way past a flagging Noble Eagle turning for home. None could catch him. None could match him. Prakash got Fabulous Star to her full flight but one quick look sideways was enough to tell Martin Dwyer that the threat was far from real.

Ever since Zurbaran ran second to the runaway Noble Eagle in the Indian Derby, trainer Padmanabhan insistently said Zurbaran was the one for the Invitation. He was spot on. He said this was easily the biggest moment of his life and he felt as if he had the world under his feet. Interestingly, Hyderabad has been a happy hunting ground for Padmanabhan.

The ultimate compliment for Zurbaran though came from Mr. Kushro Dhunjibhoy. He categorised Zurbaran as the best horse he has ever owned.

When the field of 15 took the starters' flag, Noble Eagle dutifully hit the front. For half the trip, Mallesh on Noble Eagle was seemingly lobbing along. Martin Dwyer got a lovely berth for Zurbaran not far off the pace even as Pesi Shroff was having a hard time settling down Classical Act.

But when the race came to a boil, Noble Eagle's tank had dried up and Zurbaran was powering his way up to take charge. Mid way up the straight Zurbaran had a winning cushion. Fabulous Star's gallant bid only heightened the excitement in the stands.

Among the beaten brigade, Rose Garden did a commendable job in stoutly keeping her third place ahead of Amber Regent. Rose Garden has had her share of physical niggles which kept her out of competition for a length of time. Coming into this race without the benefit of a run, her effort was an eye-catching one.

Zurbaran's timing of 2m 28.84s ranks as the best in the country for the 2,400 metres trip.

The much favoured Name and Fame was never sighted in the Super Mile as Palazzio grabbed the centre stage.

Shamaal got the first run on the field into the straight. But in a trice, Mallesh Narredu had galvanised Palazzio to her final kick. The Placerville-Stately Home six-year old mare swept Shamaal off her feet. Palazzio bettered Twin Star's course record. While Shamaal gamely held on, Vivid Dreams scythed through the frothing pack to finish third ahead of Antequera. Name and Fame was never prominent and finished in the ruck.

Jockey B. Prakash was unseated from Leaps and Bounds midway up the straight in the last race of the day. The fall was fortunately not as serious as first thought.

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