Jendayi bags Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr 1)

Solitary splendor: Jendayi (O Murphy up) winning the Gr 1, Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Sunday. Pic/RWITC

At the end of the mile-and-a-half Oaks distance, Jendayi was nine lengths ahead of her nearest rival--and this, after being a detached, long way last for most part of the trip. That should sum up the class, the fitness, and prowess and superiority the Pesi Shroff-trained Gleneagles - Monasada filly possesses. In the hands of Irishman Oisin Murphy, the property of Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke, KN & ZK Dhunjibhoy and Ms Anita J Captain made clear it will be a folly to look beyond her in the forthcoming HPSL Indian Derby, scheduled for the first Sunday of February (Feb 4).

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Owner KN Dhunjibhoy, however, refused to speculate. "It's true Jendayi has proved her class," he said after the race, "but there is still three weeks' time for the Derby. I am just keeping my fingers crossed." Dr Ravi Reddy, chief of Nanoli stud farm where Jendayi was bred, on this occasion remembered the late jamadar (stable supervisor) Shravan Singh with gratitude. "He died in a tragic accident last year," Dr Ravi said, "Jendayi, along with Jamari and Christofle, formed the last crop under his care. I am happy all three have done well."

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Father-son pair excels

In the Uttam Singh Trophy Yash Narredu, who rode Giant King trained by his father Malesh, found himself in front when leader Lion King suddenly veered out to drop off, but did well to keep all his rivals at bay until crossing the wire. The father-son pair of Malesh and Yash Narredu completed a quick double in the next race, the grade 3, Gool S Poonawalla Million, with 3y old bay colt Dash (Phoenix Tower - See The Sunrise), who outclassed his three rivals to remain unbeaten in two starts.

But Yash clearly reserved his best riding display for the grade 3, Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup when, in a fierce battle, he outwitted Oisin Murphy, one of the best riders currently on the international circuit who was astride the Pesi Shroff-trained Christofle, to gain a well-deserved neck verdict for Enabler, again, trained by his father Malesh. The father-son pair thus emerged as Sunday's star performers.