Red-hot Jacqueline will be unstoppable
Mumbai, Feb. 6: With the most eagerly awaited McDowell Signature Indian Derby set for Sunday, the mood at the Mahalaxmi race course here is understandably festive.
The big question amongst the racing enthusiasts is whether a contender can be found to stop Jacqueline, the versatile queen filly who has won seven races from eight starts while finishing a shorthead second to Aboline in the other.Trained by Pesi Shroff, who has five runners in the Derby, Jacqueline goes into the plum event as a red-hot favourite. Form points to Jacqueline as she swept away her rivals without raising much sweat.A threat may emanate from another Bengaluru contender, Becket, who has won four races in a row at different centres before running away with the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby with a measure of comfort, edging out Jacqueline’s stable-mates Bruckner (Calcutta Derby winner) and Onassis. It appears that both Becket and Bruckner took the travel well as evidenced by their track performance since their arrival here and look good enough to put their best foot forward and topple the favourite. Though racing buffs have been saying that the Derby favourite has been jinxed in recent years, the manner in which Jacqueline won the Oaks indicates that she is in irresistible form and will not be beaten. Jacqueline has the class, speed and stamina to break the jinx and lift this year’s Derby. Becket, Onassis (a colt out of Glory Of Dancer who had sired last two years’ Derby winners Hotstepper and Antonios), and Bruckner will be left fighting for the minor placings.
Age Correspondent
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