17 September,2017 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash Gosavi
Trainer Narendra Lagad and jockey Dashrath Singh emerged as star professionals on Saturday's eight-race card
The grade 3, S A Poonawalla Million has attracted a small field of only five three-year-olds. However, the contest is likely to be a close affair with four of the five--Caprisca, Selfie Star, Summer Rays & Bateleur--having already won on this track this season.
If one begins with the Colts' Championship race in Mumbai in which Pure Zinc beat Caprisca, one may mistakenly assume that this race, being over the same trip, should be limited to the same duo.
However, Selfie Star, who lost on the same day over the same trip to Themis in the Fillies' Championship, has now posted two sensational victories on this track, the last one over this trip.
And as if that was not enough, a new star is rising on the horizon in the form of Bateleur, who on debut rather easily humbled Admo (who posted an authoritative victory yesterday), and is now expected to improve further in second lifetime start.
When the picture is so complicated, I would rather not do a hair-splitting job, and go to my Dynamic Ratings for guidance. There, I find that Caprisca's last victory was much more impressive than suggested by the timing of the race, and therefore, with a prayer on the lips and hope in the heart, my tener will ride on the Imtiaz Sait-trained Caprisca.
First race at 1.30 pm.
Selections:
Proteus Plate (For 4y&o, class V; 1600m)
Commandperformance 1, Divine Angel 2, Harmony 3.
Access All Areas Plate (Class IV; 2400m)
Carnival 1, Swiftness 2, Lady Be Good 3.
Serum Institute of India Trophy (Class II; 1000m)
House Of Commons 1, Undisputed 2, Kramer 3.
Rao Saheb Kedari Gold Trophy (For 5y&o, class III; 1400m)
Judicious 1, Streetjammer 2, Hedwig 3.
Villoo C Poonawalla Million (For 3y, maidens; 1200m)
Gallant Knight 1, Take Five 2, Collegium 3.
S A Poonawalla Million (Gr3) (For 3y; 1600m)
Caprisca 1, Selfie Star 2, Bateleur 3.
Cardinal Plate (Class IV; 1200m)
Lade Sergeant 1, Powerhaus 2, Triple Threat 3.
Neona Plate (For 4y&o, class IV; 1000m)
Rock In Rio 1, My Blessings 2, Silk Baby 3.
Recommendations
Best bet: Gallant Knight (5-2)
Upset: Black Jaguar (1-10)
Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8
Treble pool: I - 5,6,7; II - 6,7,8
Tanala pool: All races.