The 37th running of the country’s most coveted juvenile prize, the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr.1), produced a performance of rare quality as the beautifully bred filly Margaretta (Belardo – Izba (IRE)) stormed to a commanding victory, stamping herself as one of the most accomplished two-year-olds of the current crop.
Conditioned to perfection by master trainer Pesi Shroff and partnered with poise beyond his years by emerging jockey G. Vivek, Margaretta carried the distinguished silks of Mehernosh Deboo to a triumph that blended tactical patience with devastating acceleration.
Patiently Plotted, Powerfully Delivered
Breaking smartly and quickly settled into a comfortable mid-rear rhythm, Margaretta travelled with notable ease through the early exchanges as the field strung out in earnest gallop. Vivek, riding with admirable composure in a high-pressure Grade 1 contest, allowed his mount to find her stride and balance rather than committing prematurely.
Approaching the home turn, Margaretta began to lengthen her stride under a measured squeeze, her momentum building ominously as she angled into a seam between runners on straightening. At this stage Lady Scarlet, who had enjoyed a tactically advantageous run near the pace, surged to the front and momentarily appeared to have stolen a decisive break inside the final furlong.
Class Assertion in the Final Furlong
The race, however, turned in a matter of strides. Margaretta, responding generously to Vivek’s urgings, produced a sustained and fluent turn of foot, weaving through traffic with balance and authority before collaring Lady Scarlet inside the last 100 metres. Once on terms, she quickly asserted her superiority, drawing away with each bound to seal the issue in an emphatic fashion and leave no doubt about her class.
Lady Scarlet, gallant in defeat after shaping like the winner for much of the straight, held on resolutely to claim second honours. Buckingham, inconvenienced by a wide passage on turning for home and forced to switch inward to secure racing room, finished on strongly once balanced to snatch third ahead of the staying-on Invictor, who completed the frame.
A Filly of Classic Promise
Margaretta’s victory was not merely decisive but visually striking, marked by tractability, acceleration, and the ability to quicken off a solid pace — attributes that mark her as a filly of genuine classic potential. The manner in which she conserved energy before unleashing her challenge spoke volumes for both her temperament and the astute race management of her rider.
With this authoritative PBMM success, Margaretta now assumes a prominent position among the season’s elite juveniles and looks poised to play a major role in forthcoming classic engagements.
ORIGINAL VEL SPORTING NEWS
warmly congratulates the winning connections on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to Margaretta’s continued ascent in the highest company.
