Pesi Shroff trained Circle of Life is the winner of just one race but nevertheless she goes into the Gr 1 Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks which is slated to be run on Saturday as the overwhelming favourite. There are solid reasons to support her claims though in classics, lack of winning habit has proved to be detrimental the talent notwithstanding. Starry Eyes is an imposing rival followed by Mint Approach, Isn`t She Special and Keukenhof.

File Photo of Circle of Life

The daughter of Singspiel, Circle of Life has run in big races, her best efforts being second placed run behind Jeremiah in the Pune Derby and Marinsky in the Indian 1000 Guineas. She also ran behind Murioi with advantage of weight. Pesi Shroff has always maintained since last year that Oaks was the realistic target for Circle of Life as the distance and her own talent suits fine over this grueling trip. Circle of Life however didn`t have opportunities to record many wins as she always found herself in graded race company. Those who have been watching the performance of Circle of Life believe that the time has come for the filly to break the jinx of winless sequence. She will be guided by English champion Richard Hughes and there won`t be any shortcoming as far as support from the saddle is concerned. The only hiccup is lack of winning experience especially for a horse running in the Oaks as a four year old to be having just one win in her racing career.

Cooji Katrak trained Starry Eyes is a strong adversary. She has the breeding to stay the trip being the daughter of the hugely successful freshman sire Multidimensional. Starry Eyes had an eminently forgettable summer sojourn at Bangalore where both her efforts were below par. She however is a smashing winner of a graded race over a mile last year at Mumbai and prior to that finished behind Murioi in the Poonawalla Breeders` Multi Million where she clearly ran out of ground. The mile and half trip should suit her fine. In the Guineas, both Circle of Life and Starry Eyes went for the gap that emerged in front of them and only one could have taken it. The former got it and gained lead on the latter. One is not sure how close Starry Eyes could have finished behind Circle of Life in second position if she had taken that gap. Suraj Narredu who rode her in the Guineas was of the opinion that Starry Eyes would be hard to beat in the Oaks. Unfortunately, he has been replaced in the saddle by Sandesh who is currently enjoying a glorious run. It remains to be seen how correct Suraj in his assessment of the talent of the filly who has been somewhat of a disappointment after a great start.

Dallas Todywalla trained Mint Approach has progressed well into this race. Thus far the progeny of Ace have done well over shorter trips and some of them have excelled only on softer surfaces. Mint Approach had the beating of Bangalore Derby winner Alaindair last year over seven furlongs at Mumbai. There is no shortcoming in her abilities and she has been working very well. She will be guided by veteran Srinath who is no stranger to big races. Mint Approach has some catching up to do on rating over her main adversaries.

Padmanabhan`s Isn`t She Special ran fifth in the Indian 1000 Guineas. She has the breeding for the mile and half trip. Her last gallop was pretty impressive and she is sure to put up a stiff challenge to the fancied ones. Then there are To The Manor Born and Highraz who have the ability to cause a surprise. Amazing Grace who is bred to stay won her only outing of life over a mile and quarter. She is no doubt a stout stayer but lack of experience could hurt her chances.

The Indian Oaks has not always gone well for favourites. Circle of Life and Starry Eyes will be the strongly backed ones with the others coming into reckoning only in the event of below par performance by these two worthies.