All eyes on Hall Of Famer in Invitation Cup

Bengaluru: Form and past glory points to S. Padmanabhan’s Hall Of Famer in the 55th edition of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, the major attraction of the races on Sunday.

The gutsy, well-travelled filly has done everything right thus far to warrant maximum support in the plum event of the weekend races. After a successful campaign at Mysuru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kolkata she took the travel well to land the Derby riches during her second visit to Mumbai with a measure of comfort.

Her only defeat in her six career starts came in the 1000 Guineas where she was surprised by rank outsider Mrs. Patmore. As she had the measure of Germanicus, Salazaar, Supreme General, Temerity and Winter Renaissance in the Indian Derby and the rest being older horses, barring Tororosso and Star Nijnsky, her team has the best chance to bag the whopping prize money of Rs one crore.

Despite a tight schedule from July to Feb, she looks to be in a great shape. “My filly looks the best of the lot. I have no worry about the older horses who are conceding 5-½ kilos to a horse in form,” said Padmanabhan eyeing a back-to-back Invitation Cup double having won it last year with Desert God.

“I have the best horse in the field. She is in fine shape. I think Tororosso is the danger,” said the filly’s regular partner jockey David Allan.

Temerity is the one who can give some anxious moments to Paddu’s ward followed by Winter Renaissance.  However, Tororosso is also capable of upsetting the apple cart of the fancied runners.

Suleiman S. Attaollahi’s Serjeant At Arms is the universal choice for the Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup, based on his run in the Derby here won by Tororosso.

Selections:
1. The Karnataka Racehorse Owners’ Association Million Cup. D: 1100M. Maiden horses, three-years old only. T: 1:30 PM: 1. Aaron The Baron, 2. Queen Latifa, 3. Sheer Magic
2. The Indiarace.Com Million. D: 1800M. Horses rated 15 to 35. T: 2:00 PM: 1. Jersey Beauty, 2. Satinette, 2. Chloe
3. The Hindu Multi-Million. D: 1200M. Three-years-old only. T: 2:30 PM: 1. Malawi, 2. Silver Ikon
4. The Shapoorji Pallonji Million. D: 2000M. Horses rated 60 and above. T: 3:10 PM: 1. Namid, 2. Rare Rhythm, 3. Sporting Pleasure
5. The Suresh Mahindra Multi-Million Trophy. D: 1400M. Four-years-old and over. T: 3:50 PM: 1. Accolade, 2. Aster Rose, 3. Fire Glow
8. The Kimmane Million D: 1400M. Horses rated 30 to 50. T: 6:00 PM:
1. Areca Cruise, 2. Pearl City, 3. Lightning Attack
Day’s best: Areca Cruise