22 March,2009 07:24 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
With two fluent victories under his belt, the Cooji Katrak-trained dark bay colt Versaki will have most supporters in the grade 1, Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-million that will be run as the feature race of Sunday's nine-race card.
And in all probability, the Verglas - Ghassak three-year-old bred at Sohna stud will deliver the goods in style. True, he has some fight on hand from Sheika, an extremely impressive winner on debut, and Classerville, the Padmanabhan-trained winner of two races from as many starts who has come down from Bangalore along with another imposing performer Gypsy Magic from the same barn, but the home turf advantage in favour of Versaki is too massive a factor to ignore.
The Poonawallas have upgraded prizes in the popular 'Free Contest of Skill' by giving away two cars instead of one a Maruti Swift and a Maruti 800 for which the racegoer will need to correctly nominate the first four in the feature race.
And while hunting for those 'right four', it may pay to give a thought to Sans Pareil, a filly from Bangalore who, unlike others from the same centre, has done the wise thing by getting the feel of the Mahalaxmi track, and therefore, is expected to run a better race, and figure on the board.
First race at 1.30 pm.
Selections: Malvado Trophy (Class V; 1600m) Illusionist 1, French Kiss 2, Chopasni 3.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (For 3y; 1000m) Forest Flair 1, Sea Treasure 2, Lusty 3.
Mystical Trophy (Class III; 2400m) Chevron 1, Matata Pride 2, Flaring Sun 3.
Serum Institute of India Trophy (Class II; 1200m) Flaming Ace 1, Athena 2, Amberogio 3.
Jasdanwalla Trophy (Class III; 1400m) Giannatassio 1, Patek Philippe 2, Bella 3.
Rusi Patel Trophy (Class I; 1600m)
Czar Alexander 1, Sea Storm 2, Secret Pilgrim 3.
Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-million Gr 1 (For 3y; 1400m) Versaki 1, Sheikha 2, Sans Pareil 3, Classerville 4.
Astonish Trophy Div I (Class IV; 1400m) La Joie De Vie 1, Centreo-fattention 2, Global Spirit 3.
Astonish Trophy Div II (Class IV; 1400m) Ares 1, Exotic Star 2, Knight Of Windsor 3.
Recommendations
Outstanding: Forest Flair (2-1)
Best bet: Versaki (7-6)
Good bet: Illusionist (1-1)
Chance bet: La Joie De Vie (8-2)
Upset: Secret Talk (9-12)
Today's pools: Super jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8,9; Jackpot pool: I u2013 2,3,4,5,6; II u2013 5,6,7,8,9; Treble pool: I u2013 3,4,5; II u2013 6,7,8; III u2013 7,8,9.
Tanala pool: All races
