Corfe Castle decimates rivals to win PBMM race

Representation pic

Three-year-old bay colt Corfe Castle, piloted by Trevor Patel, decimated his ten rivals in the grade 1, Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM) to bag the richest purse, Rs 8.94 million , reserved for the champion juvenile. The winner, owned by Ms Simone Poonawalla, R Reddy & TS Ahluwalia, was bred at the Poonawalla stud farm who have been sponsors of thsi race for the last 28 years. Corfe Castle, by Excellent Art out of Miss Danehill, thus emulated the feat of his full sister Ruffina who had won the same race last year.

Smooth sailing
Jockey Trevor Patel settled Corfe Castle near the wrong end of the field, more than a dozen lengths behind the leader Albemarie (Zervan up) who set a scorching pace when clocking a blistering 45.8 seconds for the first four furlongs. Athenaeus (Sandesh up), who stalked the hot pace, briefly flattered himself by hitting the front, but by then Trevor Patel astride the winner had deftly maneuvered his way through the traffic to assume command at the distance post. In the final furlong, it was all over bar the shouting as Corfe Castle sailed away smoothly, finally sparing three-and-a-quarter lengths to Star Superior (Suraj Narredu up).

Turn of foot
Corfe Castle's Hyderabad-based trainer Leo D'Silva praised Trevor Patel's patient and skillful riding in a post-race interview. "Trevor gave Corfe Castle a fantastic ride," said D'Silva who as jockey had started his riding career at Mahalaxmi three decades ago before shifting to Hyderabad.

Trevor made clear he was not overly concerned about the traffic problem encountered in the homestretch. "When your horse is traveling double handful, you know he will find his way. I had ridden him in a mock race here, and knew he has a beautiful turn of foot."

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