The Johnnie Walker Gold Label Indian 2000 Guineas (Grade 1) has upped the stakes and now boasts to be the richest Indian 2000 Guineas. With the total stakes spilling over half a crore, the winner's take-away would be about Rs 31 lakh. If reputations and predictions go accurate, then Bourbon King is more or less certain to wear the winner's sash. The hitherto unbeaten colt by Diffident-Queen Ann was not quite his authoritative self in his preparatory run this season but eventually held Perpetuity by a good 2 3/4 length. His latest track movements indicate that he is in good shape and will be hard to down in the big race.
The 64th edition of the Indian 2000 Guineas is sponsored for the second time running by Diageo India Pvt Ltd. The world’s leading premium drinks company also sponsored last week's Johnnie Walker Black Label Indian 1000 Guineas, which saw an interesting battle between ultimate winner Sweeping Success and Astraea. Astraea is back on track within the week for an attempt of a sterner measure and is the only filly taking on the colts. The last filly to win both the Indian 1000 Guineas and the Indian 2000 Guineas was Highland Rule (Highland Melody-Slip Rule) owned by Mr and Mrs N.R. Ruia, and trained by the fillies' specialist Uttam Singh in the year 1979.
Trainer R.R. Byramji has saddled the Indian 2000 Guineas a record 5 times and also holds the distinction of being the only trainer to have saddled winners of all the 5 Indian Classics in a single Season. In 1976-77, Byramji won the 1000 guineas and the Oaks with 'Reprint', and the same year Squanderer won him the 2000 Guineas, The Inidan Derby and The Indian St. Leger. Erstwhile jockey and now a trainer Pesi Shroff has ridden 5 2000 Guineas winners, the highest by a jockey. The fastest timing for the Indian 2000 Guineas is 1 minute 35.40 seconds, clocked by Mystical in 2005. Mystical bettered his own timing and now holds the current course record for the Guineas distance of 1,600 m: 1 - 34.65 and also for 2,800 m, when she scorched the turf covering the distance in 2 - 54.06 seconds.
The Johnnie Walker Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1), the season's second classic, will be run on Sunday.
Vivek Jain of RWITC stated, "Johnnie Walker made a huge splash last year with this race and significantly upscaled its visibility. In addition, this year's gross purse of over Rs 51 lakh is a new record for the race."
Asif Adil, Managing Director, Diageo, said, "Sponsoring two back to back classics under the Johnnie Walker Gold Race Day umbrella brings us significant synergy. It should be a mega event."
The big prize of a free trip and stay in Scotland was tied in to cover both weekends. Only 98 had correctly chosen Sweeping Success in the 1000 Guineas and they are only eligible to get a contest form to predict the 2000 Guineas winner and win the luxury prize.
In addition, race goers can win other prizes, as also witness a fashion spectacle preview in the paddock. Post racing, select invitees will watch a Tarun Tahiliani fashion show with an equestrian theme.
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