Trainer
Ganapathy closed in the lead that Darashah had in the trainers’
championship stakes, with a brace of winners, annexing both the
divisions of the Santorini Star Plate, a seven-furlong race for
maiden three-year olds. The change of name brought luck to Star
Cavalier (late Rich crown) who was unfortunate to loose last
time out by a whisker. Star Cavalier came out of the maiden’s
ranks in taking style. Full sister to the celebrated Running
Flame, Star Cavalier is not in the same league. Aide De Memoire
who did the front-running job till turning for home, packed up
without a trace.
In the lower
division of the same race, Fighting Brave, despite cutting an
erratic course after taking charge inside the final 250 metres,
proved too good for the opposition. Arjun Mangalorkar’s Royal
Russian came in for inspired support but the Green Forest
progeny who was tardy at the start, was never in the hunt and
the persevering effort of jockey Gallagher only fetched the
gelding the third spot behind Altosax. Fighting Brave’s
erratic course did not affect his rivals, as he was well clear
of the opposition.
It was not
Green Forest’s day as several of his progeny who were fancied,
did not fare well. Interestingly, the fillies of Green Forest
haven’t done well with any degree of consistency. It is the
colts that have helped Green Forest enjoy a good record. It came
as no surprise when Star of the Crop who had recorded a smashing
win in her last outing, ran without hope after a slow getaway.
Touch of Silver who had won her last outing, recorded an encore,
staving off a strong challenge of Whatmore. Pettalumma who had a
troubled passage, nevertheless was a fair third.
Trainer Rashid
Byramji wards claimed both the divisions of the Squanderer
Plate. Swinging Conquest, who had run an eye-catching second
behind Pristine Beauty, smashed the opposition, the drifting
odds in the betting ring not having a bearing on the outcome of
the race. The Conquering Hero progeny quickened nicely on
turning for home and left the field for dead. Bold Premier, who
came in for money, ran like a dud. Bin Tin Tin was a suggestive
second. In the upper division, the story was different, with the
price on Odysseus crashing in a trice. Jockey Appu took the
daughter of Ajaad on a successful start to finish mission, with
King’s Pride chasing in vain.
Coming back to
Guruprasad, his vigorous efforts with the whip enabled Alluring
Bay to snatch the verdict by a whisker in a three-horse photo
finish. Our Ambition appeared to have stolen a march inside the
final 150 metres but Alluring Bay, as is his wont, came charging
and nosed ahead. Saffron Finch covered acres of ground but
missed the berth by a short head. A short head and a head
separated Alluring bay, Saffron Finch and Our Ambition.
Jockey Appu
ended the day with a double when he drove out lesser-fancied Mac
The Knife to a ridiculously easy win in the Brave Dancer Plate.
Favourite Private Pursuit ran without hope. Tal, much to the
agony of his connections, once again finished second best. Some
horses have this knack of finding one better each time.
Apprentice Amit found an all-elusive win, with a neat ride on
Blushing Star to get the better of friendless Juarra close home.