Maj P. K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile (Gr.1) will be a Grand Race - By Bob Sawhny
Posted on - 26 Feb 2015
Maj P. K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile (Gr.1) will be a Grand Race
By Bob Sawhny
12 horses are running The Maj P. K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile (Grade 1) to be run on Sunday, 1st March 2015. In my opinion, the winner should emerge from either Arrogant Approach, Zachary or Godspeed:
ARROGANT APPROACH (Carnival Dancer-Passion to Perform) 5 yo gelding trained by S. S. Attaollahi is a sturdy chestnut who has had 18 outings, won 7 times, ran 2nd -twice, 3rd - thrice and 4th- twice showing that he is a consistent performer. All his wins were in Bangalore. His first win was for 3yo maidens over 1400m. His remaining wins have been from 1400m – 1800m which includes the New Year Cup (Gr.3). And it must be noted, that his last 3 wins were successively gained, which shows that he is presently in tremendous form, especially over a distance of 1600m.
His sire Carnival Dancer (Sadler's Wells- Red Carnival) won 5 races in England at 3 and 5 (7 fur to 10 fur) earning Pounds 166,848 + Euros 96,445 incl. Scottish Classic (Gr.3), Prix la Coupe (Gr.3),Prix Gontaut-Biron(Gr.3) and 2nd in Champion Stakes (Gr.1), 3rd in Prix d'Ispahan (Gr.1), 4th in Champion Stakes (Gr.1) etc. His dams' tail-line is a fairly strong one.
ZACHARY (Kingda Ka – Yantai) 4yo gelding trained by Janardhan who was running over his optimum trip of 1600m had the best credentials as he zoomed ahead at the 400m and amply justified his favoritism an won the R. N. Kanga Gold Trophy (Gr.3). His rating has shot up from 97 to 118 which very conspicuously shows his true worth. Zachary has run 7 times, won his 4 races over 1600m including The S. A. Poonawalla Multi-Million (Gr.2) by a widening 5 lengths. He ran an impressive 2nd to Be Safe in The Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1). He later gave 10kgs and decimated his rival Staristocrat in The Smart Chieftan Handicap Million by 4 lengths in a smart time of 1.36.02. So, now with a Handicap Rating of 118, Zachary who is going from strength to strength and who is yet to peak, can rightly be considered as one of the best Milers in the country and since, he could easily stay up to 1800m, he should win more Graded races between 1600 to 1800m as he is presently in impeccable form.
His sire 'Kingda Ka' (AUS) won 2 races at 3 & 4 (1300m and 1400m), Aus $ 347,775 and placed 7 times including, 2nd in Dubai Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1), Schweppes Royal Sovereign Stakes (Gr.2), Gold Golden Stakes, L, 3rd in Tooheys New Golden Rose (Gr.2), etc. Retired to stud in 2010, Zachary is a part of his crop.
His dam 'Yantai (Greensmith-Gentle And Bold) won 3 races and placed, earning Rs.4,87,550. His grand dam 'Gentle And Bold (CAN)'won 4 races at 2 to 4 $184, 422. Dam of 9 good winners like Proteus who also won The S.A. Poonawalla Million (Gr.2) & ran 3rd in The Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1).
Zachary is a well bred gelding, who is set to go places and will win more races, provided he is confined up to 1800m.
GODSPEED (Multidimensional-Almandine) 4 yo filly trained by M. Narredu is an extremely sprightly daughter of Multidimensional who is very impeccably bred filly who started racing career late in April over 1400m on longer odds by 3-3/4L and could have won by a much wider margin, if she were to have been extended.
She went to race in Bangalore during the summer and ran 3rd to Maisha in The Fillies Championship (Gr.1). She subsequently, easily won The Bangalore Summer Million (Gr.3) and The Deccan Bookmakers Fillies Championship (Gr.3) at Hyderabad. Her next win was The Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1) which she won by a neck beating favorite Maisha.
Godspeed is highly exquisitely bred and has added another feather to her sire Multidimensional (Danehill- Sacred Song) who is dominating the Indian Turf.
Her dam 'Almandine' (Razeen - Almaden) won 1 race & placed, and came 3rd in Gen Rajendrasinji Trophy (Gr.3). Her grand dam Almaden won only 1 race, she is the dam of 6 winners.
Her dams' tail line goes down to the likes of:
- Roccobarocco who won 2 races and placed 2nd in Indian 1000Guineas(Gr.1),Indian Oaks(Gr.1) etc, dam of 8 winners.
- Choreography who won 3 races & placed; dam of 5 winners incl: Ace of Diamonds,7 wins Rs.4,26,397 incl. Nilgiris Fillies Trial St. (Gr.2), Star Warrior 2 wins, Star Gazer 1 win; 4th in Bangalore 1000 Guineas (Gr.2), Armstrong (5 wins Rs.19,46,860), and Roccobarocco, above.
My Final Analysis: The in form ZACHARY is the horse to beat and his main challenge will come from GODSPEED and ARROGANT APPROACH.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
