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| About 9:30 AM on Wednesday in Chicago, I called Bezan Chenoy, trainer of Autonomy, a major player in the Indian Derby to be run at Mahalakshmi on Sunday. It was 8 PM in Mumbai. I got through and Mr Chenoy greeted me with genuine warmth. "Autonomy did have a setback because of equine flu - it is something that affected almost the entire horse population. The good thing is my colt came out of the ordeal without problems. As a four year-old, he has done as well as I expected him to. The training regimen has gone as planned. His two races, over 1400 and the 2000 Guineas, were spaced with great care. Now the Derby is on Sunday. He is training well. He's healthy and ready. "The Mumbai heat is going to affect everybody. Autonomy sweats well. He should handle the heat. Set Alight also sweats well. I believe she will adapt herself well. It is a two horse race in my view. "My take on Autonomy is that he will get the 2400-metre distance. I had two runners from the same family as Autonomy's, Archimedes and Kir Royale who did well in distance races. I am not worried. "At this moment, I have done all I can. I leave it to my colt and the jockey. Richard Hughes is coming. I spoke to him today. Everything is in place." Jockey Richard Hughes was in action at Brighton. He won the 3 50 PM race there with the strongly fancied King Supreme. He was on his way to Kempton Park where he had a ride in the first race at 6 50 PM followed by several others in the subsequent races. I called him about 11 15 AM Chicago time which is 5 15 P M London time. I congratulated Richard on his win aboard King Supreme. "Kempton and Brighton are about 40 miles apart. It takes an hour. I am not at Kempton yet but will be there soon. "I will ride at Kempton on Saturday and head to Heathrow (London's biggest airport) to board a plane for Bombay about 9 P M. "Autonomy is better as a four year old. From day one, I have been saying that he will be a lot better over 2400 metres. In fact, that is his ideal trip. The 2000 Guineas win-he won but that did not appear convincing but gave me the confidence he will be tougher over longer distances. He is in good form. Mumbai's firm grass course will have no effect on him. About the heat, let me tell you, I will take a colt over a filly on a hot day. Autonomy - I am very hopeful and the horse to beat is Set Alight. I have beaten her once and I will beat her again." I asked jockey Hughes about Free Agent, a colt owned by Queen Elizabeth. Hughes won at Royal Ascot last year with Free Agent who is now a Derby prospect. "Free Agent has not raced yet as a three year-old. He is coming along well. I have every reason to think I will have a ride in the Epsom Derby in June." At Kempton Park, Richard Hughes had two winners. In the 7 50 P M race, Hughes steered Graycliffe to victory. Graycliffe was the favourite at 4-1. The second winner was the 11-1 Obe Royal in the 8 50 P M race. Obe Royal was held up and closed well in the lane. This is a good sign for Hughes fans. He comes to India in tremendous riding form. |
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