20 December,2009 07:27 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
The four most serious contenders for the Classicsu00a0-- Versaki, Sea Ruler, Jacqueline and Cabrioletu00a0-- have all lined up for the grade 1, Indian 2000 Guineas, the feature event of Sunday's bumper 12-race card. The second Classic of the season is bound to throw up an answer to the question as to who among them is the best mileru00a0-- if not the best horseu00a0-- as the race will be run over a mile.
Sea Ruler and Jacqueline have both performed impressively on this track, and even Cabriolet has cut smart time when winning his prep race, but I think Versaki, trained by Cooji Katrak, will be able to emerge victorious although his last race was two months ago on the Pune track when he won the grade 1, Nanoli Stud Pune Derby.
Pat Smullen, who has been specially flown in by Versaki's owner Haresh Mehta, will ride the Pune Derby winner.
Selections for all the 12 races:
1. Pomme De Terre 1, The First Lady 2, Towering High 3.
2. Casual Look 1, Monarchos 2, Fiamma 3.
3. Glorious Miss 1, Hickory 2, Gerrad 3.
4. Blue Danube 1, Ares 2, Royal Crown 3.
5. Confiserie 1, Star Alliance 2, Imperio 3.
6. Shodaan 1, Delta Port 2, Benedictus 3.
7. Aquilo 1, Equidae 2, Hugo 3.
8. Il Tabarro 1, Aston Martin 2, Royal Porthcawl 3. 9. Versaki 1, Jacqueline 2, Sea Ruler 3. 10. Moon Star 1, Serenity 2, Tender Romance 3. 11. River Night 1, Triunfo 2, Oh Calcutta 3. 12. Adams Law 1, Wild Torronaado 2, Cloud Cover 3.
Recommendations
Best bet: None
Good bet: Versaki (9-7)
Chance bet: Il Tabarro (8-15)
Upset: Absolute Reality (11-2)
Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 7,8,9,10,11,12
Jackpot pool: I - 4,5,6,7,8;
IIu00a0- 8,9,10,11,12
Treble pool: Iu00a0- 3,4,5;
IIu00a0- 6,7,8; IIIu00a0- 10,11,12
Tanala pool: All races.