Padmanabhan trained Isn`t She Special proved that she indeed was special when outlasting the opposition with aggressive front running and won the Gr 1 Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks, the third classic of the Mumbai Racing Season on Sunday. The victory of Isn`t She Special was due to the tactical brilliance of trainer Padmanabhan and the remarkable execution of the same by David Allan. Favourite Circle of Life failed to break the sequence of runner up efforts and fell short yet again. The victory of Poonawalla bred Isn`t She Special was also the first Indian classic success for her sire Ace.

The victory of Isn`t She Special was also poignant because Captain Jamshed J Appoo who is one of the most successful owners in big races when compared to horses to winners` ratio, had recently been operated to remove a cancerous tumor. Though the operation was hardly a fortnight ago, he was confident of the filly`s chances especially after the horses brilliant preparatory gallop last week that he came to the racecourse to see Isn`t She Special produce a stunner despite apparent discomfort. ``I had the blessings of god and scores of racing enthusiasts which was the reason why my filly won the Indian Oaks,`` said an elated Appoo.

Isn`t She Special (David Allan up) winner of the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1), being led in by trainer S Padmanabhan & Capt.Jamshed J Appoo

Very few gave Isn`t She Special to upset in the Oaks considering the imposing credentials of Circle of Life though she had found the winning post elusive on a number of occasions. The focus of betting was on Circle of Life and Starry Eyes with the rest quoted at fancy odds. The connections of Isn`t She Special had decided to exploit the stamina potential of Isn`t She Special and her keenness to race freely by adopting aggressive tactics. The rest fell into the trap as Isn`t She Special enjoyed a good break in front without having to expend her energies and she had enough time to get a good breather and later dig deep into her reserves when under pressure from the favourite to win the second classic of her career. She had won the Mysore 1000 Guineas during the monsoon season in heavy underfoot conditions. Incidentally her dam Rain Splasher had won the Golconda Oaks.

Trainer Padmanabhan said that the plan to win from the front was well executed by the jockey. ``When the filly overtook the pace setter, she was idling but when Snowing came to challenge her at the top of the straight, Isn`t She Special got down to her task and showed her fighting qualities. The filly was going strongly at the finish. The victory of Isn`t She Special was also to the fact that filly has immense ability and she proved she was the better horse in fray.``
Jockey Richard Hughes said possibly he could have made his challenge a wee bit earlier but said the filly did not respond the way he expected.

Dr.Cyrus Poonawalla presenting the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1) to Capt.Jamshed J Appoo

Venus Marina did the job of setting the pace by bolting to the front with Isn`t She Special in second position a few lengths adrift while the others were more than 10 lengths behind with the bunch headed by Snowing, Circle of Life, Haunting Moments and the rest with Starry Eyes in the rear position. The first two runners were so far ahead of the rest who did not make an attempt to bridge the gap. Isn`t She Special was given a good breather before David Allan before he decided to take charge approaching the 1000 metres marker. The filly easily passed the pace maker and was traveling well within herself coming into the homestretch. Snowing moved up swiftly and came alongside but weakened after going some distance with the eventual winner. When Isn`t She Special kicked for home, Richard Hughes alerted Circle of Life and went in chase of her. Isn`t She Special was not inclined to give up and held on gallantly by a shade less than length with the lack of wining habit of Circle of Life ensuring that she finished second best yet again. To The Manor Born was overhauled by late finishing Keukenhof for the third slot in the final moments of the race. Starry Eyes made no show and this poor show indicated that her best is behind her.

There was very little to choose between Maisha and Shivalik Storm who had finished in a line last time out but the former went to the post in the Gr 3 1200 metres Gool S Poonawalla Million, a race for three year olds as a strong favourite. Melinda was given a crack or two to take over the running at the start with Miss Miracle in chase. Shivalik Storm was eased in about the fourth position. Favourite Maisha was n the penultimate position. Inside the final 300 metres, jockey Sandesh quickly wanted to take the narrow gap between Miss Miracle and The Myth. When Miss Miracle shifted out, she carried both Shivalik Storm and The Myth along with her which caused interference to Maisha who was just then getting into her stride. Shivalik Storm ran green but nevertheless managed to win the race by a length over Maisha, with the long time leader Melinda finishing third. Trevor Patel who rode Maisha raised an objection against Sandesh who rode the winner for causing a chain reaction which affected the progress of his horse. The Chief Stipe opined that the interference made a material difference and it should be upheld which was seconded by the senior stipe. However, the junior most stipe felt that the interference was not severe enough to take away the race from Shivalik Storm. The Stewards also went with this stipe`s view which was the correct one and overruled the objection.

Altaf Hussain trained First And Only One came up with a big run on the wide outside to collar the opposition in the 1400 metres Mid Day Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46.The crowded field prevented a clear run along the inside for First And Only One and jockey David Allan wisely chose to switch the filly on the wide outside for a clear run which paid ample dividends. The filly responded to the strong driving of the jockey and went clear inside the final 100 metres to win the race comfortably from Song Saa and Aeacus.

Bezan Chenoy`s Commander who had won the Pune Derby two years ago, had given indication of an early win when finishing a good second behind Jeremiah over 2000 metres. Now backed strongly to win the 1600 metres Rajpipla Trophy, the progeny of Noverre came up with a powerful run in the final furlong to measure Zoraavar, Spirit of Mercy and Sumo who were involved in a tight finish for minor placings.

Dallas Todywalla trained Tatiana won the 1400 meters Jasdanwalla Gold Cup in emphatic fashion. Ladybird did all the front running with favourite Al Shamsheer in chase. Lady Bird brought the field into view and appeared to be travelling well but jockey Trevor preferred wait longer into the straight. Tatiana warmed up to the task and came with a big rush and before Ladybird could be goaded to quicken, Tatiana had gone away. Zurich was third.

Deep diver had run a forward race last time out and hence had a good chance to win the 1200 metres P D Avasia Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. He had impressive credentials to win especially as he had beaten the much higher rated Mint Approach and also Mysore Derby winner Southern Emperor during the summer season. However, it was One Kept Secret who came in for sustained support. Deep Diver who got strong in the final furlong easily held off the strong bid by One Kept Secret to land the spoils at good odds. Emperor of France did not show the flourish of his previous run and finished a tame third.

Lesser fancied Stormy Princess finished powerfully to get the better of front running favourite Dark Knight in the final moments of the race to win the 1200 meters Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Dark Knight shook off the front running Strategy inside the final furlong but the horse was lugging in and though jockey Dashrath Singh tried his best to elicit a stronger response, the finishing flourish of Stormy Princess undid his chances. The well fancied St Barts proved overwhelmingly superior to the rest in the lower division of the race, take charge from the word `go`. Though the five year old came off the rails and drifted out, he had enough lead to win with great deal of comfort. Suo Moto and Winds of Change occupied the next two slots.

Antia trained Wind And Rain brought off an upset in the 2000 metres Harrish Mehra Trophy in the hands of jockey Hanumant Singh who is finding winners these days with more regularity than ever before. Wind And Rain went into the lead inside the final 200 metres and then gustily held off the late rally of Arzaan to win by a fast diminishing margin of neck.