Becket for Poonawalla Bangalore Derby
By Sharan Kumar

Padmanabhan trained Becket who is blazing the track should have no difficulty in winning the Gr 1 Poonawalla Bangalore Derby, the star event of Bangalore Winter Season which is traditionally held on the Republic Day. The got abroad colt Becket has been plagued by one problem or the other which has restricted his race to just three thus far. He has won all three outings at three different centres in common canter. He is blessed with phenomenal speed and if he does not any problem in tackling the mile and half trip, the plum event of Tuesday should be his for the asking.

Fleet Indian who won the Mysore Derby besides winning the Golconda 2000 Guineas and Cabriolet who narrowly missed the Pune Derby, are the other two contenders who make the finish an interesting one.


1 THE VIDHANA SOUDHA CUP (DIV.II)
A Handicap for Horses rated 40 TO 65 - (5 YEARS OLD & UPWARD)		 1400M
1.00 P.M.		 Sparkling Adventure appears to have better credentials than Man United who was relegated to third position after winning a race due to Stewards’ decision following an objection.
Selections :
   ( 7,8,3 )		 1. Sparklingadventure (S John)
2. Man United (Y S Srinath)
3. Glory Bound (Suraj Narredu)

2 THE VIDHANA SOUDHA CUP (DIV.I)
A Handicap for Horses rated 40 TO 65 - (5 YEARS OLD & UPWARD)		 1400M
1.30 P.M.		 If Greens runs to her potential, she can beat them all.
Selections :
   ( 4,6,2 )		 1. Greens (Y S Srinath)
2. Caspian Sea (S A De Sousa)
3. Leon Cavallo (Khurshad Alam)

3 THE TED FORDYCE CUP
TERMS - 3 year old maidens only		 1200M
2.00 P.M.		 Cherrele has been working well can make a winning debut. However, Awarding and Tempus Fugit who have had a run benefit, may pose a stiff challenge.
Selections :
   ( 9,8,4 )		 1. Cherelle (C D Hayes)
2. Awarding (B Prakash)
3. Tempus Fugit (P S Chouhan)

4 THE N.R.C.E.CUP (DIV.II)
A Handicap for Horses rated 20 TO 45		 1200M
2.35 P.M.		 Defiance has an edge in this modest set.
Selections :
   ( 5,1,4 )		 1. Defiance (Suraj Narredu)
2. Peacemaker (David Allan)
3. Bolzano (Imran Chisty)

5 THE MYSORE RACE CLUB TROPHY
TERMS - 4 YEARS OLD & UPWARD		 1600M
3.10 P.M.		 Cielo Rey is in great form and should hat-trick.
Selections :
   ( 9,7,1 )		 1. Cielo Rey (C D Hayes)
2. Spark Of Gold (Y S Srinath)
3. Splendid Surprise (David Allan)

6 THE INDIAN REPUBLIC TROPHY
A Handicap for Horses rated 60 TO 85		 2000M
3.50 P.M.		 Spark of Reverence has improved a great deal and make his presence felt if the mile and quarter trip suits him fine.
Selections :
   ( 10,9,4 )		 1. Spark Of Reverence (Imran Chisty)
2. Portobello (Suraj Narredu)
3. Dante's Peak (David Allan)

7 THE POONAWALLA BANGALORE DERBY(GR.I)
TERMS - 4 years old only		 2400M
4.30 P.M.		 Becket has been blazing the track and should win hands down if the distance of mile and half is not going to bother him.
Selections :
   ( 8,1,6 )		 1. Becket (David Allan)
2. Fleet Indian (Y S Srinath)
3. Cabriolet (R Hughes)

8 THE N.R.C.E.CUP (DIV.I)
A Handicap for Horses rated 20 TO 45		 1200M
5.10 P.M.		 Rumour Proof won well and can repeat if she shows any improvement.
Selections :
   ( 2,11,8 )		 1. Rumour Proof (S A De Sousa)
2. Ice Mint (P S Chouhan)
3. She's A Lady (Y S Srinath)

9 THE NETHRAVATHI TROPHY
A Handicap for Horses rated 20 TO 45		 1400M
5.50 P.M.		 Spring A Surprise has the best credentials to win in this set.
Selections :
   ( 1,2,3 )		 1. Spring A Surprise (P S Chouhan)
2. Mystere (S John)
3. Magnifique (Y S Srinath)

Day's Best : Cielo Rey (5-9)