Veteran trainer Bezan Chenoy shot into limelight by saddling the winners of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup and Poonawalla Stud Farms and Breeders` Stayers Cup for owner Jaydev Mody in front of a packed gathering at Malakpet on Sunday. The driving finish of arguably India`s best jockey of the moment Srinath and his fine temperament played a key role in Autonomy necking out favourie Antonios virtually in the closing stride of the race. What was remarkable was the fact that Srinath did not lose his cool despite his right leg coming out of the strirrup as he retained his balance and composure to get a thrilling verdict at the expense of Indian Derby winner Antonios who did well to come through the shortest way and showed enough resolution but faltered narrwly. The slow pace of the race probably suited Autonomy whose sprinting prowess tilted the scales in favour of the produce from Usha Stud Farm.

India`s best stallion ever, Razeen had a Group 1 double as his daughter Yana made it a no contest in the Stayers Cup by leaving the field stranded way behind to record the 14th win of her career, a remarkable feet indeed. Imran Chisty did a tidy job on the winner, in the process earning the first major win of his career. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Razeen has been firing classic winners with amazing regulairty, with over 50 individual classic winners to his credit.

Antonios who had won the Indian St Leger in remarkable fashion at Pune, was expected to have it easy especially since Set Alight had been pulled out of the fray due to a tendon injury. The mile and half trip was expected to suit this imposing son of Glory of Dancer who stood out in the paddock parade. However, the long distance races in India have always proved to be tricky as the races have been made or unmade by the pace of the race or the tactics
adopted by the jockeys concerned.

In a slow run race, Conceptual led the field as the starter dispatched the field for the mile and half trip, with Abs Fabs racing in second position ahead of Clever Ploy, Autonomy, Antonios and Icebreaker. Jockey Wayne Smith was unable to settle Icebreaker who fought with her jockey for most part of the trip. The shortcomings of the jockey when he is ridinng in front became all too obvious yet again. Icebreaker jostled with Antonios a few times before Wayne Smith abruptly and unwisely decided to cricle round the field and to take a forward position. He had to go even wider as Autonomy was also making his move at the same stage so much so that he came very wide into the straight in a small field of six runners which effectively ruined her chances.

Jockey Kamlesh did well to get Antonios through a gap that opened between the front runner Conceptual and Abs Fabs inside the final two furlongs and took control of the proceedings with a furlong out. Even as his trainer S S Shah was beginning to celebrate came Autonomy with a stunning run to put paid to his hopes. Though Autonomy shifted out, Srinath managed to get the progeny of Razeen to stretch out in the crucial moments of the race to get the nod in the dying seconds of the race.

‘`I think my horse hit some rough spot in the ground which caused Autonomy to drift out and I lost my right leg from the stirrup with just about 100 metres left in the race. I did not waste any time in trying to get my leg back in the stirrup and managed to drive out Autnomy to produce his best. I am happy that I was able to deliver the goods in adverse circumstances,`` said Srinath who has been at his brilliant best.

Jaydev Mody had insisted in running Yana in the gruellng Stayers Cup though his trainer Bezan Chenoy was keen to run the five year old mare in the RWITC Invitation Cup. The decision proved to be a wise one as Yana is now credited with Grade I success. The smashing manner with which she slammed the opposition also justified the confidence of her owner Jaydev Mody who has been enjoying good success . ``I am happy that my horses won both these prestigious races,`` said an elated Jaydev Mody after Autonomy won India`s premier event, the Invitation Cup, which also incidentally confers the title of Horse of the Year to Autonomy.

Yana towered over the opposition and she won without coming under pressure from any of the contestants. The only horse which could have posed danger was Noble Prince but he did not handle the surface well and raced in the rear and did not show spark at any stage of the race. Yana who slipped into the lead inside the final 350 metres, sped away from a hapless opposition to win as she pleased from Angelique. Cavardosi ran on to be third.