‘Cup’ bears open look

Calcutta: Trainer Karthik Ganapathy’s eight-year-old mare Juliette, is the 5/4 ante-post favourite in Sunday’s mega event at the RCTC race ground, the HPSL Indian Turf Invitation Cup. However, the likes of Jamari and Synthesis are no pushovers in the seven-horse field. 
  Both, the filly Jamari and the colt Synthesis are four years younger than the grand old lady. The three named horses are, however, out and out stayers of the highest class. 
  If Jamari and Synthesis love dictating terms up-front, Juliette fathoms late-run onslaught, with electrifying finish, albeit over longer home stretches. RCTC’s short home straight will definitely not provide Juliette with such a luxury.
  Juliette’s previous attempts to settle close behind speedsters had always worked to her disadvantage. Therefore, make no mistake, it is going to be an interesting race. Karthik, however, said: “Champions don’t need excuses.”