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Zurbaran, Classical Act to race at Dubai on Thursday

By Sharan Kumar
February 7, 2004

India’s leading performers Zurbaran (Peaks And Valleys) and Classical Act (Placerville) have arrived in Dubai and they will make their debut on dirt track on Thursday, February 12. Zurbaran is the winner of Gr 1 Indian St Leger, Gr 1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup and Gr 1 President of India Gold Cup while Classical Act won the Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby besides other graded races. These two horses were selected to race during the Dubai festival.

Since India does not have a protocol with Dubai to export horses directly, these two horses took the circuitous route of going to USA first and then sent to Dubai after being stationed at Santa Anita and trained there for about 40 days. Both these horses arrived at Dubai on Tuesday last and will have their final work out on Tuesday. India’s leading trainer Padmanabhan who has taken these two races to race at Dubai said that both the champions arrived in Dubai in pink of condition. ``While Zurbaran will run over a mile and a quarter trip, Classical Act will figure in a mile race. After seeing their performance in their first outing here, their future programme will be chalked out,’’ said Padmanabhan. Efforts are on to get Indian champion jockey Pesi Shroff to ride these horses.

File Photo
Classical Act (Pesi Shroff up) being led in by owner Dr. Vijay Mallya & Mrs Rekha Mallya and trainer J.S.Dhariwal.

File Photo
Zurbaran (Malesh Narredu up) being led in by trainer S.Padmanabhan

Classical And Zurbaran thus become the first Indian horses to step foot in Dubai and also get the rare privilege of racing there. While Classical Act is owned by India’s leading owner-breeder, Dr Vijay Mallya, the multi-faceted personality, having business interest world wide, Zurbaran is owned by Mr & Mrs K N Dhunjibhoy who heads the Royal Western Indian Turf Club and Mr & Mrs Z K Dhunjibhoy and Mr Byram Jeejeebhoy.

Expressing happiness about his wards showing out in good shape, Padmanabhan said: ``Classical Act looks in much better shape than ever before. Both Classical Act and Zurbaran have cut impressive timings in workouts at Santa Anita.’’ Padmanabhan was hopeful of his wardsacquitting well against quality international competition.

Saddle Up is by far the best-known Indian horse to have raced abroad with distinction at Singapore and Malaysia. Only recently have their been efforts to race Indian breds abroad and the results have been quite encouraging at Singapore and Malaysia.