Jockey Hughes credits trainer Pesi after riding Jacqueline to 1000 Guineas win
Jockey Hughes credits trainer Pesi after riding Jacqueline to 1000 Guineas win
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Three-year-old filly Jacqueline, owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke, Khushroo N Dhunjibhoy and Bergis Desai, handsomely won the grade 1, Giantti-Gitanjali Indian 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the 2009-10 Mahalaxmi racing season yesterday.
The even-money favourite, who registered an impressive victory in the hands of Richard Hughes was trained by Pesi Shroff.
English rider Hughes was specially flown in to ride Jacqueline, and he gave her a masterly ride, not losing his composure even when she was badly pocketed midway in the home stretch as stablemate Astral Flash (Suraj Narredu up) shot into the lead and kept going. Hughes, one of the tallest jockeys in the business, crouched elegantly on Jacqueline and waited patiently until the road for assault presented itself. He then angled her out, and she devoured ground with such rapid strides the fate of the race was sealed well before the wire.
"Full credit to Pesi (Shroff)," said the visiting English rider in a post-race interview. "He made her perfectly battle-ready. When I asked her to go, she instantly took cue and produced that amazing run. She's an absolutely Classic material."
News was already making rounds since afternoon that if Jacqueline wins the 1000 Guineas in style, she will be pitched against the "boys" (meaning colts & geldings) in the Indian 2000 Guineas scheduled for the coming Sunday.
Trainer Shroff confirmed the ambitious move immediately after her victory when speaking to a news channel.
"Yes, she will be in the fray for the 2000 Guineas next Sunday," he said. The 2000 Guineas, also known as the first leg of the Triple Crown comprising two more races like the Derby & the St Leger, rarely has the weaker sex in the line-up. Only exceptionally talented fillies have dared to take on the colts, and Jacqueline's victory yesterday surely accords her that status.
"I am extremely happy now, but I must confess for a moment I thought Astral Flash might kick on," said a jubilant Vijay Shirke in whose colours Jacqueline crossed the wire. "This moment has come after a long time.
The last time I won the 1000 Guineas was with Thumbelina, and that was 17 years ago," he added.
Trainer Shroff who had one-two in the Guineas, with Jacqueline and Astral Flash, had yet another fruitful day as he led in four winners on the nine-race card, taking his tally to an incredible 22 wins from only 42 runners saddled, working out to a stupendous strike rate of over 50%!
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