The Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million at the Mahalaxmi racetrack today promises to be an absorbing event that no lover of young horses can afford to miss

Local flavour could be most delicious at Mahalaxmi

The Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million at the Mahalaxmi racetrack today promises to be an absorbing event that no lover of young horses can afford to miss

The top two market fancies on Sunday are most likely to be a pair of budding local champions -- Star Future and Ocean And Beyond -- who have made a mighty impression when winning both their races from as many starts. Interestingly, both are owned by real estate tycoon Rakesh Kumar Wadhwan, in partnership with Prem Tharani, although trained by different professionals. The first-named will be saddled by trainer Adil Dajee, while the latter comes from trainer Shiraz Sunderji's yard.

Star Future is by Diffident out of Sure Future, and was bred at the Poonawalla stud farms; while Ocean And Beyond is by Kingsalsa out of Sayuri, and was bred at the Equus stud farm. Three other Mahalaxmi juveniles who, on their best day, can hope to run this duo close are the Pesi Shroff-trained colt Batista (Glory Of Dancer out of Kilshannig), Faisal Abbas-schooled filly Keringdingan (Diffident out of Victory And Gold) and Cooji Katrak-trained Star Empire (Razeen out of Anagram).

Notable among outstation challengers are Vijay Mallya's Bangalore-based Cavalry Charge (Burden Of Proof out of Catch Fire), trained by SM Attaollahi, who was not disgraced when he finished fourth to Keringdingan in the Rattonsey Multimillion on his first show at Mahalaxmi; and the Hyderabad challenger The Leader (by China Visit out of Lei) whom trainer Shehzad Abbas has ambitiously brought here after two effortless victories at home center.

This last-named must be termed the proverbial joker in the pack, and may run a remarkable race in the hands of TG McLaughlin who will most probably ride him as he did during his two earlier wins.