Pune: This weekend will be one of festivities with the running of the Pune Derby (Gr1). Raees, a progeny of Sedgffield (USA)/Lost Perfection (USA), from the stables of Imtiaz Sait, should come across one better in the Suresh Mahindra Trophy.
He has performed best on the Pune track as all his three victories from seven outings have come on this very track.
He comes into the Suresh Mahindra Trophy with back-to-back wins. He has overcome fitness issues and bounced back commendably. He now evidently is in great heart and is surely facing a real tough set of opponents and will have to do a lot more to move to the next level.
There is a question mark over his class factor and he gets a great opportunity to showcase his staying talent among some of the confirmed stayers on the circuit.
Out of 13 races, he has won four races in his career of racing. This is Pune season’s and India’s longest race and is run over a distance 3,200 metres for Class I horses rated 80 and above.
Raees is owned by Mr and Mrs Hoosain S Nensey and Mr Saif H Nensey. Another thing that should be of concern is the fact that he barely gets a few weeks off after his long battle over 2,400 metres so how he will cope with that would be interesting.
However, he is carrying the 58 weight here and this is an advantage he will seek to drive home decisively. With jockey CS Jodha in the saddle, the bay gelding should be able to tackle this company. Good bets are The Other Song (2-2), Highland Breeze (3-3) and Hedwig (6-5).
SELECTIONS FOR PUNE RACES, OCTOBER 14
First race at1.30 pm
Race 1: 1600m Grand Accord (3) Yellowstone (5) Gold Bond (2) Sheer Belief (4).
Race 2: 1600m The Other Song (2) Sir Song (9) Star Ace (11).
Race 3: 2000m Highland Breeze (3) Vulcan (4) Frosty (2).
Race 4: 1200m Franz Ferdinand (4) Miss Moneypenny (2) Safdar (10).
Race 5: 1600m Huzzah’s Grace (2) Jeena (8) Panatela (6).
Race 6: 1200m Hedwig (5) Arakawah (2) Excellent Gold (11).
Race 7: 1200m ( no whip in this race) Angels Harmony (2) Country’s Empress (9) Rising Concert (19) Isinit (1).
Race 8: 1000m Lincoln (1) Lord Commander (8) Art Deco (2).
Race 9: 3200m Raees (1) Star Of Harmony (3).
Day’s best: Franz Ferdinand (4-4).
Brief history of late Suresh C Mahindra
The estate of late Suresh C Mahindra is very large and of considerable value and it is also averred that there are 169 horses of considerable value, the majority of which were with Rashid Byramji, a reputed race horse trainer, late Suresh C Mahindra, confidante and Adviser to him in all matters concerning M/s. Broadacres Stud Farm in favour of M/s.
Greenacres Stud Farm and Agricultural Farm where under Greenacres Stud Farm was permitted to utilise the facilities and assets of M/s. Broadacres Stud Farm for a period of nine years on a licence fee of Rs 5,000 per month. This is how the part of assets including horses belonging to late Suresh C. Mahindra came to be in the premises of M/s Broadacres Stud Farm.
Further, he stated that the said Mr. RR Byramji is a partisan and is siding with the first petitioner and he cannot be trusted with and he is not all that competent to be entrusted with the Management of M/s. Broadacres Stud Farm.
