WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS SAY
SUPER MILE
Suraj Narredu: After his hattrick of wins in Kolkata, we felt that the mile would suit
Star is Born better than a mile and a half. He’s never been better and we have home advantage.
Rajesh Narredu: A Star is Born has bee in great heart ever since he has come to Kolkata. We decided to bring him here during the Monsoon season knowing that the RCTC would be hosting the Invitation weekend. He has thrived and is at his best. The manner in which he won the Calcutta Gold Cup over a mile is what prompted us to keep him at this distance.
Prasanna Kumar: Evaldo may not have run since the 28th of September, but he’s in the same form as he was then when he beat A Star Is Born by 3 lengths in Mysuru. Don’t write him off.
M.K. Jadhav: Mojito, one of the most consistent horses that I have ever trained, has a touch of class. The blinkers he sported for the first time in his last start have helped him considerably and he won that really well. Mojito comes in with an outstanding chance.
Patrick Quinn: Destroyer is a topclass miler and we have home advantage. Though he is taking on the best today, I’m sure he will run a great race.
AINVITATION CUP Karthik Ganapathy: Juliette has done everything asked of her. She is as well as she can be and within herself.
I don’t think the short straight in Kolkata will pose too much of a problem as she is a mare with a great heart who always gives off her best.
Satish Narredu: Champions Way, who won the Golconda Derby in style, gets the trip and will run a great race.
Yash Narredu: Champions Way will run a big race.
Rajesh Narredu: Synthesis ran a great race in the Indian Derby, bouncing back after a poor run in the Ruia, where he probably picked up a stone and came back sore.
That was a bit of a setback, but he came out of it nicely. He will spearhead the challenge of the 4yearolds.
Suraj Narredu: Synthesis is my pick out of the Narredutrained trio. He ran a great race in the Indian Derby and I’m sure will do well here also.
Sathish Narredu: Touch of Grey is as genuine as they come. Won eight races and twice second from 11 starts. Winner of the Mysore Derby and the South India Derby. Don’t underestimate him.
Pesi Shroff: Jamari is a filly with huge talent and has had a really tough campaign. Though taking on the wonder mare Juliette and renewing her battle with Synthesis, she will be right there when the race comes to a boil.
Nine Indian boxers will try to earn as many quota places as possible in the first World Olympic boxing qualification tournament, starting at the Ework Arena in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Sunday.
The Indians trained in a multination camp, including boxers from Ukraine, Tajikistan, Japan, Greece and Hungary, for 10 days in Montenegro.
Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg) and Nishant Dev (71kg) and former Worlds and multiple Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) will be among the leading names who are capable of securing slots for Paris.
While Bhoria and Nishant will try to overcome their disappointing performances in the Asian Games and underline their potential, Hussamuddin, who is coming back after his knee surgery, will be keen to prove himself.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) and former World youth champion Ankushita Boro (66kg) will try to win quota places and complete a full women’s squad to Paris.
The Indian squad:
Men: Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg), Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), Nishant Dev (71kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Sanjeet (92kg), Narender Berwal (+92kg). Women: Jaismine Lamboria (60kg), Ankushita Boro (66kg).