Srinath and Chenoy Talk about Autonomy’s Invitation |
| It is the first time that the Indian Turf Invitation Cup has been run in the autumn. It was a small field of six that answered the starter’s call in India’s premier race. Yet, there were no two opinions about the quality of the field. Set Alight was conspicuous by her absence. Antonios, the Indian Derby champion and the St Leger winner, was in the line-up. Autonomy, hero of the Indian 2000 Guineas, was taking his chances. Icebreaker, a multiple-Classic winner including the Bangalore Derby and the only filly to have beaten Set Alight, represented trainer Padmanabhan. Abs Fabs, runaway winner of the Calcutta Derby, was in the field and Francis Norton had flown in from England to ride the Arjun Mangalorkar trainee. I saw the video replay of the race. There were no hard luck stories in running. Jockey Y S Srinath offered further evidence that he is part of an elite. There is no question in my mind that he is good enough to compete anywhere in the world. Srinath’s timing was impeccable. His sense of pace could not have been better. The top five finishers were five lengths of one another. There is nothing to sit up and take notice about the time of 2 36.62. I spoke to jockey Srinath. “I know who you are,” he began. “I was aboard Autonomy in a mock race. He has a good stride. The one quality that has hindered him is his unwillingness to pass horses. He loves to race alongside horses. I realized that in the Invitation Cup, Autonomy had to be ridden accordingly.” I asked Srinath how he was able to goad Autonomy into raising a gallop to collar Antonios who had hit the front midway down the lane. “My thinking was that Autonomy had to be kept close to the leaders. I was able to do that. He is a mile and a half horse. No question about it. I was wide and Antonios made first run. I knew I had enough horse. Would I be able to make Autonomy produce that extra? That burst of speed that helps you win races is what Autonomy came up with. That surge, I am happy, was timed right.” Jockey Srinath commented on the condition of the Malakpet monsoon racecourse. “It was far from ideal. There had been a lot racing on the monsoon track. Autonomy handled it well.” “Oasis Star is the best I’ve ridden. She’s special. The plan was to take her to the Dubai Carnival. The equine flu problem put an end to that aspiration. Mr Shapoor Mistry will be able to throw more light on this,” Srinath said. I invited Srinath to make a trip to the US and make Chicago part of his itinerary. “I have no plans. If things change, I’ll let you know.” I will be remiss if I do not compliment jockey P Kamlesh on his fine ride on Antonios. Stakes races are won by ground-saving steers. Kamlesh did everything right. He did not travel an extra inch. He split horses to take the lead. One could not have asked for a better ride. I may have interrupted a celebration in the Bezan Chenoy household when I called him. We exchanged greetings. “Autonomy has fulfilled his promise,” Mr Chenoy averred. I wanted to know how Autonomy was able to raise his game and beat Antonios. “The April heat in Mumbai bothered Autonomy a great deal. I understand every horse had to cope with it but Autonomy did not manage it as well as he could have.” “He runs well, I should say, very well when fresh. He was fresh. That was a critical ingredient in his victory. Also, the pace in the Invitation Cup was much slower and that helped Srinath a great deal. The longer they go, the better for my horse.” “I have respect for Richard Hughes and he told me that Autonomy was a total package for mile and a half races. He was trained accordingly. His 2000 Guineas win suggested that he will be good over longer trips. When Richard tells me something, I take that to be the last word on the subject, “ Mr Chenoy said. I asked if Richard Hughes was considered for the ride on Autonomy. “No, Srinath is very good. He delivered. As and when I need Hughes, he is there for me.” “I was in the US last December. I may make a trip this year. I go to California. I wish I was there for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita but I will not able to make it,” Mr Chenoy concluded. Razeen has another feather in his cap. Yana, another Bezan Chenoy pupil, won the Stayers’ Classic without a twitch of a muscle. It was another triumph for the Razeen line. I had the thrill of seeing Oasis Star in Hyderabad in 2008 when she won on both Saturday and Sunday. She is a phenomenon. I believe that she deserves to take a chance abroad. Conquering new horizons, after all, is what racing is all about. Trainer C D Katrak must be complimented on keeping Oasis Star in such good form. It is not an easy task. I recall vividly the finish of the Indian 2000 Guineas. Dancing Dynamite came up with a flourish and jockey Hughes was all out to cling to the advantage in the 1600-metre contest. Dancing Dynamite did his sire, Glory of Dancer, proud by winning the Super Mile. My wife and I were guests of Chairman Surender Reddy in March 2008. His steady hand that guides the Hyderabad Race Club has been instrumental in HRC reaching new heights. It was a vicarious thrill for me this year. I enjoyed the videos in Indiarace. I am looking forward to the 2010 Invitation weekend in Mumbai. The Breeders’ Cup races, 14 of them carrying $25.5 million in prize money, will be run at Santa Anita on November 6 and 7. Santa Anita is in Arcadia, California outside of Los Angeles. I have made my plane reservations. I will leave Chicago early on Thursday, November 5. I will be at the Courtyard Marriott, the official Breeders’ Cup hotel. I will be on the ‘Red Eye’ on Saturday, November 7, leaving Los Angeles at 11 PM and reach Chicago at 5 AM on Sunday. Chicago is two hours ahead of Los Angeles. |
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