Emphatic claims the South India 1000 Guineas 

Triumphant: Jockey S. Saqlain, left, and James Mckeown, right, deputising for Trainer S. Padmanabhan receive the South India 1000 Guineas (Grade II) Trophy won by Emphatic from M.A.M.R. Muthiah, Chairman Madras Race Club at MRC, Chennai, on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Trainer S. Padmanabhan, after his suspension, came out with a bang as his ward Emphatic (piloted by S. Saqlain) won the South India 1000 Guineas (1,600m), the first classic of the season here on Saturday (Dec. 7).

The winner is the property of Mr. P.J Vazifdar, Mr. M. Rrishad, Mrs. P.J. Vazifdar & Mr. Nariman Dickey chothla, M/s. DT. Racing & Breeding rep by Mr. D.R. Thacker & Mr. Mukul A. Sonawala.

Saqlain, who rode confidently, kept Emphatic second till the home stretch. He started maneuvering his mount in the straight and the filly responded tremendously to a few reminders and took over from the leader Divine Art in the last 150m to win comfortably.

1. KINGSTON HANDICAP (1,200m): SACRE COUER (C. Unesh) 1, Blue Sapphire (B. Dharshan) 2, Young Heart (R. Manish) 3 and Aletta (Hindu Singh) 4. 3/4, 5-1/2 and 2-1/2 1m, 16.31s. Rs. 22 (w), 10, 21 and 112 (p), SHP: 56, THP: 99, FP: 244, Q: 191, Tla: 2,377.

Owner: Mr. Muthiah Ramaswamy rep. GMMSR Advisory Services. Trainer: R. Ramanathan.

2. URBAN SEA HANDICAP (1,200m): PLUTO (Yash Narredu) 1, Royal Chivalry (M.S. Deora) 2, Knotty Power (N. Darshan) 3 and Raffinato (C. Umesh) 4. 1-1/2, 3-1/4 and 1-3/4. 1m, 13.65s. Rs. 17 (w), 13, 18 and 28 (p), SHP: 33, THP: 142, FP: 49, Q: 39, Tla: 251.

Owners: M/s. Manjri Horse Breeders Farm. Mr. Anil Saraf & Mr. Deepesh Narredu. Trainer: D. Narredu.

3. INTHESPOTLIGHT TROPHY (1,200m): CROWN DRIVE (A.S. Peter) 1, Perfect Blend (S. Saqlain) 2, Schnell (Hindu Singh) 3 and Opus One (C.S. Jodha) 4. 4, 3/4 and 3-1/2. 1m, 13. 04s. Rs. 27 (w), 17, 17 and 25 (p), SHP: 71, THP: 31, FP: 192, Q: 104, Tla: 1,151.

Owner: Mr. AL. Murugappan. Trainer: B. Suresh.

4. SYMPHONY OF FIRE HANDICAP (1,400m): KING O STAR (P. Sai Kumar) 1, Rise Again (C. Umesh) 2, Aurora Borealis (Farid Ansari) 3 and Bomber Jet ( A.S. Peter) 4. 1-1/4, 3/4 and 1/2. 1m, 29.17s. Rs. 76 (w), 21, 20 and 96 (p), SHP: 43, THP: 48, FP: 279, Q: 101, Tla: 7,887.

Owners: Mr. Bala Kumar C R & Mr. Syed Mudassar. Trainer: Fazl Ul Rehman.

5. SOUTH INDIA 1000 GUINEAS (Gr. II), (1,600m): EMPHATIC (Excellent Art – Klipspringer) S. Saqlain 1, MAGNETIC (Multitude – Pricewise) Antony Raj 2, DIVINE ART (Excellent Art – Ray Of Light) Yash Narredu 3 and MOTHER’S GRACE (Gusto – Carolina Moon) C.S. Jodha 4. 1, 1-3/4 and 2-1/4. 1m, 44.10s. Rs. 41 (w), 20, 10 and 13 (p), SHP: 52, THP: 70, FP: 270, Q: 159, Tla: 1,033.

Owners: Mr. P.J Vazifdar, Mr. M. Rrishad, Mrs. P.J. Vazifdar & Mr. Nariman Dickey chothla, M/s. DT. Racing & Breeding rep by Mr. D.R. Thacker & Mr. Mukul A. Sonawala. Trainer: Padmanabhan.

6. DELAGE HANDICAP (1,600m): PERSIAN ROCK (Akshay Kumar) 1, Queen Anula (Srinath) 2, Starkova (S.J. Moulin) 3 and Bluemed (P. Sai Kumar) 4. 2-3/4, 1/2 and 2-1/2. 1m, 42.10 s. Rs. 29 (w), 17 20 and 16 (p), SHP: 54, THP: 48, FP: 215, Q: 295, Tla: 990.

Owner: Mrs. Kokila E. Trainer: Fahad Khan.