The piping-hot cramped-odds favourite Zuccarelli moved on a tight rein in the hands of jockey P Trevor to inflict a humiliating defeat on his four rivals in the Wolf777 Indian St Leger (Gr 1), the feature event of Sunday`s eight-race card.
Champion trainer Pesi Shroff who saddled Zuccarelli, gained his 200th Classic success, and in a short emotional speech after the race, dedicated this milestone to the memory of trainer Uttam Singh who passed away at Pune last week at the age of 103 years.
“I was very young when I rode for Mr Uttam Singh,” Shroff said, “but I have learnt so much from him. He was truly a gold standard in horse training. I dedicate this victory (200th Classic) to him.”
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Zuccarelli settled at the rear, allowing Arc De Triomphe (NS Parmar up) to dictate pace to Windstorm (Yash Narredu up) and Karanveer (A Imran Khan up). The trio was virtually a street ahead of Exemplilfy (A Sandesh up), who was a couple of lengths ahead of Zuccarelli. Passing the 1200m marker, Karanveer took charge as first Windstorm and then Arc De Triomphe started falling back even as Exemplify put in an all out effort to cover ground. However, the race was over the moment Zuccarelli started to devour ground without even a nudge from Trevor, to sail away for a spectacular victory of over a dozen lengths. Exemplify pipped Karanveer at the post for the runner-up slot.
Besides Zuccarelli, jockey P Trevor also booted home two more winners in Botero and Mozelle to end the day with a grand treble. Trainer Pesi Shroff and Adhirajsingh Jodha led in two winners each.
