If the Bangalore Summer Season has an exciting quality
it is mainly because the performance of three-year olds during the season gives a definite pointer to the shape of things to come in the classics that will be held all over India during the rest of the
year. The Bangalore Winter Season has a charm of its own as first season
runners give a glimpse into the future.
After an eminently forgettable Mysore Season that had more negatives to it, the Bangalore Winter Season and the Mumbai Season, which overlaps, should make way for competitive racing which is the lifeline of the sport. In the days of troubled times, with apathy all round, marked by lackadaisical attitudes of the powers-that-be to correct the ills that is threatening the sport in Bangalore, the equine athletes alone can lift the spirit by their `apolitical’ performances.
Southern Empire, Haunting Memories, Diabolical, Secret Memory, Man of the Match and Super Speed have already established their credentials by winning the Derbys that have been held thus far. Southern Empire and Haunting Memories are the
super stars of the present crop of three-year olds and they look invincible as long as they are raced to their strengths. While
Haunting Memories may have limitation of distance, Southern Empire should not be bothered by any inadequacy. The Indian Classics seem to be at his mercy. Sadly, both these horses will not be seen in action during the Bangalore Winter Season, as they will be located at Mumbai.
For sheer power, quality, quantity and performance, there is none to rival trainer Ganapathy’s yard. The stable has been firing winners consistently and the domination is sure to continue though quite often the unpredictable nature of the stable is what throws things out of gear for race goers.
Ganapathy has ammunition in plenty to sweep the classics all over the country though the odd one may slip away. Apart from the horses that have already established their undoubted class, there are many who may still make a mark in winter and prove to be classic winners. Ganapathy has a surfeit of quality two-year olds that should dominate the juvenile races both in Bangalore and at Mumbai. Quite often full brothers to celebrated horses have failed to emulate the performance of their predecessors but there are others in the yard to
overcome such an eventuality. Among the older brigade, Mystical is too formidable and brooks no opposition. Holding Court is expected to race at Dubai during the
International Racing Carnival.
Among the other trainers, Padmanabhan has horses of quality, which should be in the limelight. Running Bull, who did well during the Summer Season, makes a strong bid for the Guineas either here or at Hyderabad. Red Eagle will be out of action for some time as he has had an operation for the removal of a knee chip. Among the others who failed to live up to
expectations, Rain Splasher should have strengthened well to give a better quality performance. Padmanabhan’s main hope may be in the two-year olds, which promises to give a better season for the trainer.
Most of the trainers from Bangalore either skipped the Mysore season or used the opportunity to give their wards a useful outing. Since the number of trainers who have held back their horses in the hope of cashing in on during the winter season is pretty high, it is difficult to list the horses that are likely to make their presence felt. The list truly is long to merit mention here.
The 35-day season will begin on Friday, November 10 and conclude next year on the last day of March. As already reported, the first day's racing was lost due to lack of foresight on the part of the authorities.
