Queen filly Moonlight Romance justified favouritism and posted a popular victory in the grade one, HDIL Indian Turf Invitation Cup, the stellar attraction of the Invitation Cup weekend
Queen filly Moonlight Romance justified favouritism and posted a popular victory in the grade one, HDIL Indian Turf Invitation Cup, the stellar attraction of the Invitation Cup weekend.
The Cooji Katrak ward, ridden by Richard Hughes, won more authoritatively than suggested by the official margin of half a length that she spared to runner up Xisca (S Pasquier up). She thus achieved a rare feat of winning three mile-and-a-half grade one races in a matter of six weeks, all with a measure of comfort. The China Visit ufffd Wandering Star filly bred at the Usha stud thus became only the second filly after Revelation who achieved similar fate nearly 25 years ago.
Speaking to MiD DAY after the race, trainer Cooji Katrak said that despite running such grueling trips so often he was reasonably confident that Moonlight Romance would not let him down.
"However, I was worried a bit when that unfortunate accident took place," Cooji Katrak told MiD DAY after the race, "but Richard did well to settle her again, and when he took charge in the straight, I was confident my filly will pull it off even if anyone challenged her."
Katrak was referring to a serious mishap that took place a couple of furlongs before the final turn when Hyderabad Derby winner Business Tycoon (PA Culhane) broke down abruptly, veered out sharply, causing a serious check to Ocean And Beyond and Moonlight Romance who had to lose the momentum.
Trainer Pesi Shroff, who saddled Xisca, however candidly admitted to MiD DAY that the winner was far superior to his filly. "She (Moonlight Romance) has always been better than Xisca, she had beaten us every time we took her on," he said after the race, "and she did again today. But I am satisfied with Xisca's effort," he added.
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