Thunberg may prove a point

Mumbai: Festivities, at the Mahalaxmi racecourse, here, in the first weekend of February, can be matched with the colourful atmosphere at New Year’s Day races in Calcutta. Therefore, the double-day programme, beginning Saturday, with an eight-event card, has its own charm, and not a dress-rehearsal for Sunday’s mega event, the mother of all Derbies, the 2,400m Indian Derby – a  Grade I race.
   Saturday’s chief attraction, the 2,000m Smasher Trophy, on the other hand, may see trainer Pesi Shroff’s filly Thunberg (C. Umesh-up) proving a point that she is the best in her category, after King’s Ransom, the likely favourite in the big Derby field on Sunday. Thunberg, presently contesting a Class II race, was a good second to King’s Ransom in the 1,600m Indian 1,000 Guineas, and a fair third in the Indian Oaks.