Stage is set to decide the 2005 champion of champions at the Guindy racecourse in Chennai on Sunday. The best of the regional four-year-olds will be seen in action for the crown of the year, the 2,400m Indian Turf Invitation Cup, shortly after 4.15 pm. There are a dozen hopefuls in the super Derby line-up but the the winner of the Indian Derby invariably confirms his superiority in the Invitation Cup. However, there have been exceptions like Ministerial, Zurbaran, Simply Supreme and few more who tossed the Indian Derby winners aside in this variety of the classic race. Therefore, those who value records could look for anything but Southern Regent, a comfortable winner of the Indian Derby.
However, Southern Regent is a gutsy horse who likes to produce his best under trying conditions. Otherwise the Razeen-Allinda son could not have collected four regional Derbies in a shade over six months. Reports are that the Ganapathy-ward has travelled well from Mumbai, and is in good condition too.
The challenge to the the MAM Ramaswamy-property could come from Andreyan who was given a poor ride by C. Alford in the Indian Derby. The Rashid Byramji-trainee was kept on the wide out of a big field throughout the Derby trip and he still finished a good fourth. Another one who may trouble the Regent could be Venus Arising, the failed-favourite in the Mumbai Derby which came a week too early for the runaway winner of the Okas.
Read as: Sl. nos, last 4 runs, horse name, trainer, jockey, weight & draw:
6. Indian Turf Invitation Cup 2,400m (Terms, 4-y-o only) 4.15 pm
1 1124 Andreyan [R. Byramji] Srinath 57.0 12
2 1210 Aperitivo [Vijay] C. Alford 57.0 2
3 1313 Elite Zone [Ganapathy] Rajendra 57.0 4
4 1313 Full Speed [I. Ghatala] Ms Storai 57.0 11
5 0221 Southern Regent [Ganapathy] Prakash 57.0 1
6 0000 Ministrel Heights [Ganapathy]M.R.Singh 57.0 5
7 2202 Randsberg [Padmanabhan] Hughes 57.0 3
8 2412 Friendly Fire [D?Silva] A. Imran 57.0 10
9 3322 Frida Kahlo [Katrak] M. Narredu 55.5 8
10 2423 Queen Of Fashion [Ganapathy] G. Ross 55.5 9
11 1111 Forever Elegance [Ganapathy] G?Gher 55.5 6
12 - 110 Venus Arising [Katrak] Darley 55.5 7
1. SOUTHERN REGENT (5) 2. aNDREYAN (1) 3. VENUS ARISING (12)
Southern Regent: A fluent winner of the Indian Derby. Will not go down without a fight. Andreyan: Was badly ridden in the Indian Derby which he could have won. Deserves another chance. Venus Arising: Ignore her Indian Derby Run which came a bit too early after her Oaks win.
SELECTIONS
1.45 pm: Strides To Victory 1.Success Heiress 2. Midnight Heights 3.
2.15 pm: Go for Gold 1. Finest Moment 2.
2.45 pm: Special Place 1.Strike Zone 2. Majestic Star 3.
3.15 pm: Berlioz 1. Coral Gable 2. Proteus 3.
3.45 pm: Frantic 1.Saratoga Sizzle 2. Great Crusader 3.
4.15 pm: Southern Regent 1. Andreyan 2. Venus Arising 3.
4.45 pm: Royal Celebrity 1. Dicty Dancer 2. Star Decoration 3.
5.15 pm: Bold Premier 1.Rebounding Flame 2. Arizona Legion 3.
Day?s Best: Royal Celebrity Double: Strides To Victory & Frantic
