Updated On: 05 January, 2013 09:55 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
The stage is set and the battlelines are drawn.
Of the 16 in the fray at the handicaps stage, six have opted out, leaving ten promising three-year-olds to face the starter in the MiD DAY Trophy, the prime attraction of tomorrow’s nine-race program that will be going through at the Mahalaxmi racecourse between 1.30 pm & 5.30 pm. The MiD DAY Trophy will be the seventh race on the card, scheduled at 4.30 pm.
Among the horses that have had already raced once during the season, Gerome and Forest Vision appear to be in a forward condition, and in all probability, will be in the forefront of the betting.
While making his debut on the opening day of the current season, Gerome finished behind Brindaban and Dancing Prances, who later excelled in their next start — Brindaban finished runner-up to the classy Senora Bella, while Dancing Prances pulverized rivals last Sunday to post an authoritative victory. That makes Gerome a front line contender for the MiD DAY Trophy.
Forest Vision ran a notable third behind Caruso and Rio on debut, and clocked a speedy time of 1m:0.09sec for the five-furlong sprint.
Her style of running suggested that she will relish the seven-furlong trip.
The duo of Gerome and Forest Vision, however, may face some challenge from two horses that will be running the first ever race of their life — Grand Duke & Silver Arrow.u00a0