27 February,2016 10:53 PM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
A classy field of 17 well-performed juveniles will line up today for the grade 1, Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM), and each one of them would be looking to inscribe his or her name on the scroll of honour of this richest juvenile race in the country
A classy field of 17 well-performed juveniles will line up today for the grade 1, Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM), and each one of them would be looking to inscribe his or her name on the scroll of honour of this richest juvenile race in the country. The winner will take away a cool Rs 1.06 crore as prize money, besides an exquisitely crafted trophy valued at Rs 2 lakh.
It is a known fact that the form of three-year-old juveniles proves extremely mercurial, and with 14 of the 17 in the fray having won one race each, it will be hazardous to guess who among them will register the most dramatic improvement on Sunday.
However, going purely by the racetrack form and trial track preparation, three horses--Accolade, Ice Glacier and St Andrews--choose themselves as prime contenders for the top spot, and there is a very good chance the winner may emerge from this trio.
I am nominating St Andrews as first choice because his manner of victory was extremely impressive. By contrast, Accolade has once failed over this trip when racing as favourite, and Ice Glacier will have to overcome the statistically significant obstacle that most Bangalore challengers have faced in the past, faltering in their first attempt to solve the Mahalaxmi racetrack riddle.
For the racegoers, there will be the usual 'Free contest of skill' popularized by the Poonawalla clan over the years by offering a car as prize to anyone who can predict the first four finishers in the PBMM. There will also be many more prizes, including the ones for the best dressed lady and gentleman.
First race at 3.45 pm.
Selections:
Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (For 5y&o, class V; 1000m)
Acker Bilk 1, Peppercorn 2, Royal Sapphire 3.
Serum Institute of India Trophy (Class II; 1000m)
Arizona Sun 1, Ravello 2, Strategic Move 3.
Rusi Patel Trophy (Class I; 1400m)
Simply Sweet 2, Intelligence 2, Rule Downunder 3.
Le Gris Cheval Stakes (Class IV; 1400m)
Alisha's Pet 1, Captain Abdon 2, Sea Lagoon 3.
Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Trophy (Class IV; 2400m)
Flashing Honour 1, Zephir 2, Striking Story 3.
Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (Grade 1) (For 3y; 1400m)
St Andrews 1, Accolade 2, Ice Glacier 3.
Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Gold Trophy - Div I (For 3y, maidens; 1200m)
Adeline 1, War N Peace 2, Flashy Wings 3.
Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Gold Trophy - Div II (For 3y, maidens; 1200m)
Aurora Australis 1, Whomakestherules 2, Flamboyant Flame 3.
Sir Victor Sassoon Gold Trophy (Class III; 1400m)
The Champ 1, Traherne 2, Draco 3.
Recommendations
Best bet: None
Good bet: The Champ (9-2)
Chance bet: Alisha's Pet (4-1)
Upset: Jordana (5-6)
Today's pools:
Super jackpot poo: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Jackpot pool: I - 2,3,4,5,6; II - 4,5,6,7,8
Treble pool: I - 5,6,7; II - 6,7,8; III - 7,8,9
Tanala pool: All races
