What the professionals say

The following professionals voiced their opinions on the Sprinters’ Cup and the Stayers’ Cup races to be held here on Saturday.

S.A. Shehzad Abbas: In the Sprinters' Cup, my choice is Mariinsky; for the Stayers' Cup, I like Native Knight, who is looking very well.

L. Beuzelin: My mount in the Sprinters' Cup, Speed Six, is extremely well, we feel he has a serious chance and are crossing our fingers.

Bezan Chenoy: In the Sprinters’ Cup, my ward Nefyn has taken the travel well. He seems to be in good enough form and I have freshened him up after his last run.

Jaggi Dhariwal: For the Sprinters' Cup, I like Speed Six; in the Stayers' Cup, Wind Stream is my selection.

Narendra Lagad: My ward, Native Knight, last year's winner of the Stayers’ Cup, has been giving weight to his rivals the whole year; the terms now suit him, so I hope to win. In the Sprinters' Cup, I like Mariinsky.

Arjun Mangalorkar: The flat track will suit Shivalik Star better than Bangalore and he has a good draw in the Sprinters' Cup; my wards Applejack and Winged Foot should both run well in the Stayers' Cup.

Vijay Singh: The Kolkata challenger Captain Courageous who has raced well at that centre, is tracking well and should be right there in the Stayers' Cup; I give the edge to Mariinsky in the Sprinters' Cup, even with her wide draw.

Pesi Shroff: I would have preferred a midway draw for Mariinsky, but she is such an honest and talented runner, she ought to run well.