Horse Racing: Moonlight, Siachen set for Battle Royale

Moonlight Romance and Siachen are once again set to renew their rivalry in the grade 1,HDIL Indian Oaks to be run on Sunday at the Mahalaxmi racetrack.

They have so far crossed swords twice--first in the Bangalore Fillies' Trial and later in the Indian 1000 Guineas--and on both occasions Siachen beat Moonlight Romance. They are clearly the two top fillies in the land right now, and whosoever wins the Indian Oakswill go down in the history as the best filly of this crop.

Both the earlier contests were over the mile trip, and the Oaks, which is called the 'Ladies' Derby' because it is reserved for the fillies (female horses) and run over theDerby distance of mile and a half, is going to be an entirely different ballgame altogether.

"I don't want to predict the result of the Oaks," trainer Cooji Katrak, who trains Moonlight Romance, refused to speculate when asked by MiD DAY, "all I say is that she is a stamina filly, and it should show up in her performance."

Katrak also confirmed Richard Hughes will ride Moonlight Romance on Sunday. "Richard rode her to victory in the Bangalore summer derby last year," Katrak said, "he knows the filly, and that should help."

Moonlight Romance is owned by RK Wadhawan and Prem Tharani, and they also own two more horses--Sunlight & Sun Elegance--among the final six in the Oaks fray, and interestingly, all of them are trained by Cooji Katrak.

Are Sunlight and Sun Elegance in the fray for tactical reasons, like maybe for setting a comfortable pace for Moonlight Romance? "I will definitely not talk about the strategy," Katrak said categorically, "but I will say that Sunlight, in her own right, is a very stout filly as far as stamina is concerned," before adding, "I think she also runs with a chance."

While the Katrak & Wadhawan camp understandably want to play their cards close to the chest, the rival Siachen camp appears supremely confident. "Siachen has beaten her twice, and I have absolutely no doubt she will do it again," Zeyn Mirza, racing manager for Dr Vijay Mallya owns Siachen, told MiD DAY.

When asked if the extra four furlongs could be a cause for worry as pedigree experts don't believe Burden Of Proof's progeny (Siachen is fathered by Burden Of Proof standing at Dr Mallya's Kunigal stud farm) can get the Derby trip, Zeyn Mirza shot back, "Those who are saying this are ignorant. Arabian Prince, who won the Hyderabad Derby by setting the fastest Derby time in India, was also sired by Burden Of Proof!"

Mirza also made clear he was not unduly bothered who rides rival Moonlight Romance, even if it be Richard Hughes. "Siachen is a talented filly, she settles well, switches off during the race, and achieves her target in a professional manner. My jockey (Chris Hayes) has partnered her in the 1000 Guineas at both Bangalore and Mumbai, he knows how to handle her, and as a team they will do their job."

When MiD DAY asked if Dr Vijay Mallya will be there on Sunday to witness the Oaks, Zeyn Mirza said, "Unfortunately, no. But he will be there for the Indian Derby which will be Siachen's next target as per our plans."

Please juxtapose both the photos side by side and put the copy below under the respective captions. (photos are already sent)

Moonlight Rmance (4 wins/7 starts)
4yo bay filly by China Visit - Wandering Star
Owner: RK Wadhawan & Prem Tharani
Trainer: Cooji Katrak
Jockey: Richard Hughes
Breeder: Usha

Siachen (4 wins/5 starts)
4yo chestnut filly by Burden Of Proof - Indian Mission
Owner: Dr & Mrs Vijay Mallya
Trainer: J S Dhariwal
Jockey: C D Hayes
Breeder: Kunigal