Gool Poonawalla million event on Sunday is set to be a hit

The Gool S Poonawalla Million (Grade 3), the feature event of Sunday's eight-race card at Mahalaxmi, promises an exciting contest. Although, only nine runners are in the fray at the acceptance stage. Jockeys would have been announced by the time this appears in print, and I think the prime contestants are so closely matched that the outcome will largely depend on the jockey factor, more than the class or condition of the horse.

Of the nine, the market may favour Cooji Katrak-trained Star Empire and Pesi Shroff-trained Delphi more than the rest, but I will add to this list two more talented runners who deserve a mention--the Faisal Abbas-trained Viva La Diva and the MK Jadhav-trained Serenity.

Star Empire stylishly won on debut, but faltered in the next outing. Delphi ran only once, but won more easily--and in a much more impressive fashion--than the verdict of the race suggested.

Debut delight
Viva La Diva caught the eye on debut when she finished a close third, shifted the yard and joined the winner's circle, while Serenity, distinctly unlucky to have been ridden by a mediocre jockey in her first two starts, posted a smashing victory with her third effort.

Here is a short introduction to these four three-year-olds who are most likely to be concerned at the
judge's end.