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At the time Mighty Crusader decided it was over, he was a good eight lengths in front and making the running at a brisk pace. Washington Irvine abruptly found himself in front and had no choice but to continue at the leisurely pace he had settled in. Becket was in the rear and I must point out that he never quite settled down, always fighting for his head as if wanting to break free. He threw his head more than a couple of occasions and nearing the 1,000 m almost veered out. Jockey Suraj Narredu surely had a tough time handling Becket’s raw power and in a split second decision thought it better to let Becket dictate terms nearing the final turn.
Becket was the first one in and sensing the urgency, Srinath goaded Change of Luck to start the chase in time. Becket, in the first half of the homestretch, was nearly three lengths ahead. Change of Luck warmed up under some stick-coaxing from Srinath and responded ably. Sensing that Change of Luck was in the mood to make a race of it, Srinath gave his best effort and at the distance post he firmly believed that Change of Luck had enough in her to shatter the myth that Becket was unbeatable. He must have passed that optimism and belief through to Change of Luck as well and the filly flew in the last fifty meters to peg Becket back pulling off a stunning upset victory that held the crowd spellbound. Native Knight once again ran a good race to finish third just a length away for the top two.
The Poonawalla camp was ecstatic as the Judges, Anthony Mendes and George Saria declared Change of Luck as the winner of the Casino Royale Indian St Leger (Gr1). Dr Cyrus Poonawalla had a difficult time wriggling out of hugs and handshakes on his way to lead in his filly.
There is a small anecdote that I would like to add. I was walking along with Dr Poonawalla as the horses walked out of the paddock to the gates. One young punter approached Dr Poonawalla and asked him if he could take a chance on Change of Luck. Dr Poonawalla patiently told him to back her in place. “She has to beat Becket, but she will definitely run him close if not beat him. She is sure to be in the one-two.” Seeing my quizzical look, he smiled and told me, "I want that boy to take something back home. I am sure she will run a close race hence I advised him thus, ensuring that he did not lose a bet."
I then asked him what his pre-race view was and he said, “Becket is a wonderful horse but I don’t think he is unbeatable. I can never forget the Poonawalla Multi Million second that my filly ran. She was a distance behind the second last horse at the turn. Despite going all over the track, she ran just 1/2 L behind Versaki beating Jacqueline in the process. I had great expectations from her but somehow things didn’t work out the way we perceived. The Invitation third that she ran was an indication that she was on the improve and I secretly felt that if she is handled right, she could get at Becket. I personally told Srinath to make his move only after Becket had done his. No matter what, don’t get her going until Becket does. He did precisely that and now I am more happy than surprised that she beat a strong colt like Becket,” he concluded.
Trainer Padmanabhan must have experienced confusing emotions. The thorough professional that he is, Paddy took it in his stride that Becket was done in. “I always knew that both my horses will take the first two places. Only Change of Luck juggled the script. Both were well tuned and in the best of condition as you can see with the way they galloped in the last part of the 2800m trip. The slower pace was capitalized upon by Srinath who got the best out of Change of Luck. Suraj could not handle Becket as he had done in the Invitation. For the most part of the backstretch, one could see Becket fighting for his head all the way and not getting into a rhythmic gallop at any time,” he concluded.
Jockey Srinath was a tired man. "It was a hell of a race and beating Becket was no easy task. I thought I had my chance when Becket went past me and got into the lead. There I knew, if I could keep close behind him, i would get there in time. I did just that and my filly responded at the right time. It was a game finish and I was relieved it went in my favour."
Mrs Villoo Poonawalla was thrilled. “I was too excited in the final furlong and the result thrilled me no end. Change of Luck is a gutsy filly and she did us all proud today,” she said. Mrs Poonawalla did the lap of honour around the paddock amidst loud cheering from the crowd.
