No cakewalk for Fynbos in Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr 1)

The Pesi Shroff-trained Fynbos will have to be at her very best in the hands of her new partner (Vivek G) in the Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr 1), the feature event of the Saturday card. I feel this way because, even if Fynbos had won the Indian 1000 Guineas (instead of losing), that performance, in absolute Dynamic Ratings numbers, wouldn't be anywhere close to her old form on which she was being judged as champion filly of her age group. 

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Fynbos will have two passionate rivals in the feature event line up: the vastly improved stablemate Namiri whose rider Trevor Patel is smarting under the allegation of "incompetent" ride; and the Prasanna Kumar-trained Ravishing Beauty who was denied entry in the first Classic of the season due to a precautionary Glanders rule.

 

The main threat to her may come from stablemate Namiri who, despite being short on experience, ran a mighty race in the 2000 Guineas; and if, instead of going with the pace, she is ridden with restraint, Namiri could unleash a decent turn of foot in the final two furlongs of the mile-and-a-half trip, and may give jockey Trevor Patel a chance to have the last laugh. The Prasanna Kumar-trained Ravishing Beauty, winner of two races from three starts, is also expected to run a big race. Fynbos is nominated as first choice; but as first favourite, she may not hold value as a bet. 

 

First race at 1 pm.

Selections:

 

Isn't She Special Trophy (Class III; 1600m)

Miracle Of Hanukah 1, Break Point 2, Treat 3.

 

Potential Champion Trophy (Class I; 1600m)

Pride's Prince 1, El Greco 2, Chagall 3.

 

Pleasure Hunt Trophy (Class II; 1000m)

Fighton 1, Esperanza 2, Social Butterfly 3.

 

Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy - Div I (Class IV; 1200m)

Interceptor 1, Skandha 2, Juracan 3.

 

Gool S Poonawalla Million - Gr 3 (For 3y; 1200m)

Starlight Serenade 1, Nebula 2, Lady Scarlet 3.
 

Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup - Gr 3 (For 4y; 2000m)

Baychimo 2, Red Bishop 2, Zacharias 3.

 

Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks - Gr 1 (For 4y Fillies; 2400m)

Fynbos 1, Namiri 2, Ravishing Beauty 3.

 

Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy - Div II (Class IV; 1200m)

Machiavelian 1, Gold Bar 2, Aeon Flux 3.

 

Marchetta Trophy (Class V; 1400m)

Ministry Of Time 1, Algonquin 2, Maratha Admiral 3.

 

Recommendations

Best bet: Baychimo (6-1)

Upsets: Cellini (3-3), El Moran (4-1) & Remy Red (8-7)

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Courtesy: mid-day