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Anil Mukhi
At a recent meeting of the Chairman of the Turf Authorities of India, the matter of televising horse racing in India came up. As already recorded in these columns, any sport which is not on TV is as good as dead. Thus the question of whether or not to televise racing in India is a "no-brainer". The cost to set up the infrastructure, reported to be in the neighbourhood of Rs 35 lakhs per centre, is trivial compared to the benefit that can accrue. Rather than debating whether to televise racing between centres, the turf clubs must determine how to get the sport on cable TV, so as to enhance its popularity and build the fan base.
One cannot fathom the logic of having two events open to three-year old winners on the same afternoon. As it is, these events are too infrequent! Evidence Of Faith, EL Cid and Avenging Angle will all have their followers in the 1200 m race today. The first pair scored their maiden victories at Mahalakshmi on the all weather track, while the latter was a runaway winner here. In givinga marginal edge to El Cid, one has kept in mind the fact that he was highly fancied towards the end of the Mumbai meeting. Although he failed on that occasion, the degree of support suggests he is better than a plain reading of the form reveals.
In the longer distance event, over 2000 m Eastern Command shapes up as the day's best. A facile winner last time out he maintains his fitness and should be well served in the saddle. His principal opponent, Prince Of Fashion, is also entitled to improve off his last win, but just might find the extended trip a bit too much. Delhi's Twist Afleet made no impression last time out and it is No of American who could be a contender for the minor placings.
A Tanala combination of some of the three-year-olds in the Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy should prove profitable. Ignore Jaannisar's last run if the going is good - he seemed ill at ease on the soft in his only previous attempt here.
The time-honoured Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy for Class II horses is being run over itstraditional 1800 m trip and has drawn nine runners. When the entries were made, Wolf River looked a ready-made winner, more so because the event is a favourite with her trainer, MK Jadhav. However, the declaration of an allowance jockey in Imran Shaikh has muddled the picture. Certainly the got-abroad will be at the helm of affairs early on, but can she carry on when challenged? White Metal - fancied to win a classic not so long ago - and the consistent Silent Fox are sure to prove tough nuts to cracks, with even Voices Of Spring a potential threat.
Sunday's card is relately dull. At the time of writing, only the published handicaps are at hand. In the Class II Dr SR Captain Trophy, the speedy intel with attempt to defy his exalted status in company a full class higher than most of his contemporaries. He is fast enough to do so, but must stave off the likes of Mi Amante, Aknoor and Defiance.
The Class III event is over twice the distance. This stamina-sapping contest suits all the runners. At the rightprice, Kaizer Sozay could be worthy of attention. Despite favourable track work, he was weak in the betting market when participating in last week's opener. Perhaps his attention was focussed here? Grumpy finished on into runner-up spot when last seen in public and is well placed at the weights. His sire, Binkhaldoun, gave perhaps his best effort over 2400 m and his son has inherited this facet of his ability. All Grumppy needs is a decent rider to guide him home.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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