Horse Racing: Myrtlewood slays rivals

MUMBAI: There were hundreds of international delegates, a princess and thousands of racing enthusiasts at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday. They all rose to applaud in unison when queen Myrtlewood flashed past the finishing line with speed and elegance. The filly, trained by ace trainer Pesi Shroff and assisted in the saddle by P S Chouhan, simply made a mockery of her 16 rivals to win the third classic of the Mumbai Season, the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks.
Gracing the rear bunch till the field entered the view from the grandstands, Myrtlewood galloped like one possessed to leave her rivals biting the dust and win the Ladies Derby in style. In doing so, she laid to rest all doubts about her staying ability over a trip of 2400 metres.
"She is simply superb," jockey Chouhan, who had also partnered her during her Indian 1000 Guineas victory last month, told TOI "Though I had full confidence in my filly's ability, I was a bit worried lying in the back bunch as the horses running in front would have started dropping back and have blocked my way. But once I got the opportunity to take her outside for a clear run, I knew the race was ours," said the 38-year-old rider.
Myrtlewood's owner, Mehernosh Deboo, was all delighted. "We too had doubts about her staying ability but she proved all of us wrong. I am absolutely thrilled," said an elated Deboo.
In the presence of international delegates, who are here to participate in the Asian Racing Conference, a big turnout of racing fans gave the atmosphere a festive look. The presence of Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of Aga Khan IV, added a royal dimension to the occasion. A leading owner-breeder in the world of horse racing, Khan is here to give the opening address at the launch of the Asian Racing Conference at the National Sports Club of India on Monday.
"It was a great turnout and the international delegates were impressed by our facilities, quality of racing and the branding. It was satisfying to see our efforts getting its due recognition," Vivek Jain, media chief of the RWITC, told TOI.