The day of reckoning has arrived as India’s turf queen In The Spotlight is scheduled to take on 15 international rivals in her quest for glory beyond the shores on Thursday. The race is slated to start at 9.25 p.m. local time which approximates to about 10.55 p.m. IST. The excitement is building up for her connections and her supporters.

File picture of In The Spotlight being led in by trainer Padmanabhan and Capt Jamshed Appoo

The good news is that In The Spotlight has adapted herself to the alien conditions as well as isolation quarantine barn She has been putting in impressive workouts. English champion jockey Ryan Moore who took her on a spin in her final preparatory work out in the early hours of Tuesday morning, expressed his happiness with the workout of the champion daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek.

In The Spotlight is set to carry 58.5 kgs. The filly has always proved her versatility by winning at all the major race centres in India and has performed well on all surfaces. Trainer Padmanabhan exuded confidence that the filly will acquit herself well. ''The filly has travelled well, taking the left handed turns capably. She is pink of condition. I am pretty confident. All that we need is the collective good wishes of Indian racing fraternity.’’

Capt Jamshed Appoo, who owned the horse entirely till he sold the horse for the purpose of racing and breeding on terms, is all excited. ''By God’s grace, the filly has won me every race that is there to be won in India. I fervently pray that the filly fulfils the great expectation of Indian racing fraternity of success abroad. In The Spotlight’s success will be a great advertisement for Indian racing.’’ The filly be racing in the colours of Capt Jamshed Appoo.

In The Spotlight is rated at 102 and according to the experts in the field, she should be able to win at Dubai. Bangalore Turf Club’s Chief Handicapper Shiva Prasad believes that In The Spotlight should give a good account of herself. ''I am of the belief that she has the potential to win a Group III international race. That is my assessment. At the mark that she is placed in, she should not disappoint. I don’t know how well she is shaping up but considering all things, she has the potential.’’

In The Spotlight has been the most versatile horse in Indian racing history. She has an ideal temperament and revels in outclassing her opponents. She has aggressive style of running. Epsom Derby winning jockey Martin Dwyer partnered in all her major success in India and firmly believed in the abilities of the filly to perform in graded race company abroad. The only change this time is Ryan Moore who rode Mystical to back to back wins at Dubai, has been picked to ride. Ryan Moore has won all the big races in the World including the Epsom Derby and Arc De Triomphe.

The Meydan is a magnificent racing infrastructure. When the lights are turned on for racing action to begin on Thursday, the collective glare of Indian racing fraternity would be on In The Spotlight. If the champion filly hits the post ahead of the rest, the collective roar of Indians at the Meydan is enough to reverberate all over India!