Coming up from behind under a typically vigorous Srinath-ride, Autonomy got the better of McDowell Indian Derby winner and public choice Antonios to record a superb success in the 47th Indian Turf Invitation Cup here on Sunday (Oct. 25).
The slow-run race may have contributed to the defeat of the favourite but Autonomy had the disadvantage of his rider having lost a stirrup iron close to home. That the pair could overcome this handicap was most creditable.
Trained in Western India by Bezan Chenoy, who was recording his first success in the rich event since Revelation triumphed in 1985, Autonomy was bred at the all-conquering Usha Stud and races for sporting owner Jaydev Mody.
The Razeen gelding had been a leading juvenile last year when he won the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million at Mahalakshmi.
Earlier, the Mody-Chenoy-Usha combine had annexed the Grade I Stayers’ Cup through Yana, who scored by a distance, so it was a fabulous afternoon for them. She was ridden to perfection by Imran Chisty.
Dancing Dynamite led home a one-two for progeny of Glory Of Dancer bred at the Nanoli Stud when holding back the late-finishing Juventus in the Grade I Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile. C. Rajendra did duty on the S. Padmanabhan-trained gelding.
Invincible Oasis Star
And the invincible Oasis Star kept up her winning skein when simply trouncing her rivals in the Grade I Sprinters’ Cup.
Trainer Cooji Katrak admitted that the exaggerated waiting tactics adopted by Srinath had him concerned at one stage.
However, when the rider let the Manjri-bred daughter of Senure loose, she simply strode away to complete a double in this race — having won it in 2008 as well.