Franz Ferdinand can win The F.D.Wadia Trophy (Grade 3) - By Bob Sawhny
Posted on - 26 Aug 2016
Franz Ferdinand can win The F.D.Wadia Trophy (Grade 3)
-By Bob Sawhny
PUNE: The Pesi Shroff trained, well bred three year old gelding Franz Ferdinand (Soviet Star- Duchess Ravel) can win The 1400M F.D. Wadia Trophy (Grade 3) here this Sunday, 28th August 2016. He is presently in devastating form as he authoritatively won his maiden race on 7th August 2016 the Class IV 1200M Moosa M. Hoosein Trophy, a handicap for Indian horses rated 20 to 46 easily beating his 10 rivals with ease. As the race started, Franz Ferdinand was a handy second till the turn, quickened superbly on the riders call in the straight and zoomed away for an enthralling success. He eventually won at the on money price of 7/10 effortlessly by 2-1/2 lengths in One Minute 12.76 seconds.
Even though Franz Ferdinand won extremely well on 7th August 2016, he was put on track work by his meticulous trainer Pesi Shroff and on 20/8/2016 was made to work over 1200 M, along with another horse San Martino and Franz Ferdinand did his work extremely well, effortlessly doing 1200M in 1-20sec. 600 in 40s. Then on 23/8/2016, he did 1400M in an easy manner effortlessly covered the trip in 1-36s. 600 in 39s.
And Franz Ferdinand is well bred, as his 'Sire' is Soviet Star (Nureyev- Veruschka) who won 8 races at 2 to 4 the distances being between (6 to 8 fur) winning stakes of 626,840 Pounds which included 5 Group 1 races and placed innumerable times over Group 2 and Group 3 races. Retired to stud in Ireland in 1989. And Nureyev sire of Soviet Star was champion 3yo in France and VeruschkaDam of Soviet Star won 2 races in France & USA and was the dam of 8 very good winners.
And although the 'Dam' of Franz Ferdinand 'Duchess Ravel' who had no wins, her Grandam Graviera had 6 wins, 3 places, 2 shows with a colossal Career Earnings of $ 410, 320. and her classy winnings were :
1st in Santa Aria Handicap (Gr.1 in USA)
1st in California Jockey Club Handicap (Gr.1 in USA)
1st Prix Zeddan (L-Fr)
1st Prix de Yearlings (L-Fr)
And she placed several times in good Listed and Group 3 races in USA and France. Therefore the Grandam of Franz Ferdinand was very impeccable.
So, the impeccably bred and presently extremely fit Pesi Shroff trained 3 years old gelding Franz Ferdinand has all the superb qualities, of a very good three year old gelding, which I Have stated above, mainly about his superb initial win on 7th August 2016, his good track work and his impeccable pedigree. Therefore, Franz Ferdinand will now Win the 1400M F.D.Wadia Trophy at Pune this Sunday, 28th August 2016, as he is the winner of only 1 race and will only carry 3 Kg Extra, which he will easily do.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
