"No race is over until it's run" -- this famous adage came to haunt jockey Suraj Narredu and Becket's connections at the end of a mile-and-three-quarters of the Indian St Leger

Asking Srinath to ride did the trick: Cyrus Poonawalla

"No race is over until it's run" -- this famous adage came to haunt jockey Suraj Narredu and Becket's connections at the end of a mile-and-three-quarters of the Indian St Leger when the photo finish camera found Becket's nose a couple of inches behind Change Of Luck, who brought unexpected cheer and glory to the Poonawalla camp as she was not only bred, but also owned by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and his family.

"I told a television channel before the race that I believed we had a chance at the St Leger," a jubilant Dr Poonawalla told MiD DAY. "She (Change Of Luck) always had it in her but somehow could not produce it after her Poonawalla Multi-million run last year when she had got the better of Jacqueline," he added. Dr Poonawalla also pointed out that two of her full brothers have won the St Leger. "We thought she needed to come from behind, so this time we entrusted her to (YS) Srinath, who knows how to ride a waiting race."

Poonawalla's strategy paid off brilliantly as Srinath showed exemplary patience despite a crawling pace as none of the five runners wanted to go to the front and tried putting their horses on a tight leash. Unable to exercise control, Sunny Chinoy astride Mighty Crusader awkwardly drifted sideways and dropped out of the race, forcing a reluctant Washington Irvine (C Alford up) to take the baton. He then showed the way to Native Knight, Change Of Luck and Becket who clearly hated the snail's pace and Narredu atop had such a hard time settling him that he almost got unseated twice during the journey.

"Even I was fed up of the gentle pace," Srinath, who rode the winner, told MiD DAY. "But then I saw Rajendra astride Native Knight moving up, and then Suraj (Becket) doing the same with five furlongs still to go.
"I sensed my big chance. Unlike Becket, Change Of Luck does not have a great turn of foot, so my best chance was to stalk him, inch closer with every furlong and then make a final assault close home with an all-out effort."

The pace picked up dramatically after Becket assumed command, and Srinath just tried to keep at his heels without putting too much pressure on the filly or going for her reserve fuel.

However, after passing the final furlong, marker Srinath rode like one possessed, and Change Of Luck closed on Becket with every stride to finally get the nod of the judge.