Pesi Shroff-trained Arabia, ridden by Leigh Roche, won the South India 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season here on Saturday (Dec. 22). The winner is owned by Mr. Mehernosh H. Deboo & Mrs. Auzita M. Deboo.
The Mumbai-based Arabia, the lone filly in the field, set her own pace and led all the way. Leigh Roche rode a well-judged race.
1. MADRAS RACE CLUB CUP (1,000m) maiden 2-y-o only (Terms): BUTTERFLY (Trevor) 1, Polar Express (Arshad Alam) 2, Intotheshadows (Shahar Babu) 3 and Glorious Victory (Umesh) 4. Dist, 2-1/2 and 1-1/4. 59.53s. ₹9 (w), 7, 15 and 16 (p), SHP: 33, FP: 48, Q: 83, Tla: 1,666. Favourite: Butterfly. Owner: M/s. Manjri Horse Breeders‘ Farm Pvt.Ltd. Trainer: C. Marshall.
2. ALANDUR PLATE (1,000m), rated 40 to 65: WELCOME BABY (K.V. Baskar) 1, Queen Of Venice (Umesh) 2, Star Dreams (Akshay Kumar) 3 and Star Imperial (A. Imran) 4. Hd, 4-3/4 and 1. 1m. 07s. ₹19 (w), 8, 8 and 5 (p), SHP: 39, FP: 204, Q: 117, Tla: 866. Favourite: Star Dreams. Owner: Mr. A. Manickam. Trainer: S.P.A. Raju.
3. VELANKANNI PLATE (1,000m), rated 20 to 45: OBSESSION (A. Imran) 1, Grey Twilight (Brisson) 2, Olympicduel (Umesh) 3 and Oxygen (Azfar Syeed) 4. 3, 1 and 4-1/2. 59.84s. ₹ 10 (w), 7, 5 and 6 (p), SHP: 598, FP: 143, Q: 55, Tla: 1,739. Favourite: Obsession. Owners: Mr. Fahad Khan, Mr. M. Subash & Mr. G. Suryanarayana. Trainer: Fahad Khan.
4. MADURAI PLATE (1,200m), maiden 3-y-o only rated 20 to 45: BRANKA (Umesh) 1, Pappa Rich (Ayaz Khan) 2, Heavenly Blue (Altaf Hussain) 3 and Mighty Princess (P. Ajeeth Kumar) 4. Not run: Desert King, Romantic Knight and Princess Saaraa. 7-1/4, nk and 1-3/4. 1m 13.82s. ₹ 5 (w), 7, 48 and 8 (p), SHP: 164, FP: 116, Q: 49, Tla: 343. Favourite: Branka. Owner: Mr. Vazhaparmbil J. Joseph. Trainer: Sebastian.
5. SOUTH INDIA 2000 GUINEAS (1,600m), 3-y-o only (Terms): ARABIA (Multidemensional - Adamile) Leigh Roche 1, MY OPINION (Dialed In - Love Me Good) A. Imran 2, PELUCHE (Phoenix Tower - Lost In Thought) Trevor 3 and ANGELINO (Win Legend - Angelique) Robbie Downey 4. 1-1/4, 1/2 and hd. 1m 38.33s. ₹ 22 (w), 5 and 5 (p), SHP: 21, FP: 33, Q: 8, Tla: 48. Favourite: My Opinion. Owners: Mr. Mehernosh H. Deboo & Mrs. Auzita M. Deboo. Trainer: Shroff.
6. G. NARASIMHAN MEMORIAL TROPHY (1,400m), rated 40 to 65: SMASHING APPROACH (Brisson) 1, Star Ranking (Akshay Kumar) 2, Dazzling Dancer (Mark) 3 and Young Darling (Umesh) 4. 1-1/2, dist and 1. 1m 26.34s. ₹ 16 (w), 6, 13 and 19 (p), SHP: 14, FP: 41, Q: 8, Tla: 146. Favourite: Star Ranking. Owner: Mr. A.V. Jayaprakash. Trainer: Mandanna.
7. ZEPHYR BAY PLATE (Div. II) (1,000m), rated 60 to 85: BORA BORA (Trevor) 1, Good Fortune (Arshad Alam) 2, Admiral Nelson (K. Sai Kiran) 3 and Zinfandelle (Azfar Syed) 4. Nk, 1-1/4 and 3-1/4. 1m. 10s. ₹ 7 (w), 9, 9 and 36 (p), SHP: 28, FP: 32, Q: 21, Tla: 153. Favourite: Bora Bora. Owner: Mr. Aditya P. Thackersey. Trainer: Dominic.
8. ZEPHYR BAY PLATE (Div. I) (1,000m), rated 60 to 85: ROYAL SENATE (Akshay Kumar) 1, Powder Puff (Umesh) 2, Pearl Necklace (P. Ajeeth Kumar) 3 and Excellent Phoenix (K. Sai Kiran) 4. 4-1/2, 1-1/2 and 3/4. 59. 04s. ₹ 7 (w), 6, 7 and 6 (p), SHP: 12, FP: 20, Q: 15, Tla: 45. Favourite: Royal Senate. Owner: Mr. Arun Alagappan. Trainer: B. Suresh.
Jackpot: 215 (311 tkts), runner up: 50 (574 tkts), Mini Jackpot: 202 (40 tkts), Tr (i): 31 (422 tkts), (ii): 79 (293 tkts).
