Cape Martin floors the opposition
By Sharan Kumar

Ponnappa trained Cape Martin had all the credentials as the terms of the BTC Anniversary Cup was in favour of him but the manner in which he won not only floored the opposition but also his most optimistic supporters who discounted his chances as he was never though to be good enough to essay longer trips than six furlongs. In hindsight, it is possible that the connections found the right distance for him more by fortuitous circumstances. Cape Martin had not won for quite sometime over six furlongs and he really appreciated the step up in distance, winning in a smart time of one minute 25.4 seconds. Ever since the distances were readjusted a few years ago, this is the fastest timing recorded for this trip. Padmanabhan trained Kia Ora who was finishing the fastest at the finish, was trifle unlucky to miss the berth narrowly. The race also saw the eclipse of the ultra-consistent Name And Fame, unbeaten since November last, who was hopelessly stranded in the fourth spot.

The terms of the race meant that Cape Martin was running much below his handicap mark. And that definitely had a decisive role to play on the eventual outcome. Though Name And Fame was head and shoulders over the opposition because he had proved to be invincible on this Bangalore track, Cape Martin, Top Gun, Arrakis, Just Brave and Kia Ora had a good chance of causing a flutter. Cape Martin was overlooked merely because he was considered suspect over a seven-furlong trip. That was the general perception including that of jockey Suraj Narredu who opted to ride Kia Ora in preference to Cape Martin. Harish who has just returned from South Africa after riding a few races there, made the best of the chance ride and his spurting with the four-year old at 700 metres marker either by design or accident, brought the victory of the son of Cristofori whose innings as a stallion was anything but spectacular. 

Cape Martin (Harish up) leading at 500M 

Mr. Marilingaiah, Chairman of BTC presenting the BTC Anniversary Cup to trainer N A Ponnappa

Cape Martin hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the seven-furlong trip, with Suraj Narredu working hard to get Kia Ora into a striking position. Just Brave raced a few lengths behind, with Name And Fame in the rear group. Kia Ora raced a handy second behind Cape Martin till the 700 metres marker at which point, the latter suddenly spurted away from his pursuer. Suraj perhaps erred a wee-bit in not immediately setting about to chase the front-runner because the front-runner was getting out of reach. Cape Martin had a break of more than five lengths inside the final 350 metres and though the daughter of Miswaki covered acres of ground, the winning post came too soon for her. A mere half a length separated Kia Ora from Cape Martin. More than six lengths separated Kia Ora from Just Brave while Name And Fame performed way below par. Considering the difference in ratings between Cape Martin and Kia Ora, the latter definitely showed good improvement even in defeat.

Ganapathy, however, had a good winner through Own Vision who won the Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup. Own Vision who had let down her supporters in her last essay over nine furlongs, showed a good turn of foot to swamp the favourite close home over seven furlongs. On the last occasion, jockey Prakash had given less than satisfactory performance on Own Vision. There was inspired support for Fiorenzza who had run behind Fond Fantasy in the Fillies Trial Stakes and Own Vision, the latter for no apparent reason. Consistency has never been virtue as far as Fiorenzza is concerned and it was no surprise that she finished among the beaten brigade. 

Mr. Nawab Ahmed Ali Khan Presenting the cup to Dr. M. A. M. Ramaswamy

Onnu Onnu Onnu took charge inside the final 250 metres and shaped like a winner as Own Vision was hampered for a clear run. But once Own Vision was shifted out, the daughter of Razeen covered the leeway in a trice and collared the front-runner with a great deal of ease. Smart Striker who had run a close second behind One Magic Moment in winter took the third spot.

Sure Future was expected to have it easy in the Manjri Stud Plate but the full sister to the celebrated Six Speed was hard-pressed to overhaul the front-running Storm The Fort. Storm The Fort refused to give up easily and fought hard but Sure Future got stronger in the shadow of the winning post. It is quite possible that Sure Future may be sorted out over six furlongs in her next essay unless there is a step up in distance. Evangeline is slowly finding her feet and she should be in the thick of things before long.

Two of Ganapathy trained wards; New Reality and Happy Valentine went into the post as firm favourites though both had no surface form. Happy Valentine had finished ninth out of nine runners last time out while New Reality was slightly better off in comparison. Both were backed to the exclusion of the rivals. Happy Valentine obliged while New Reality flopped badly. It is amazing how such horses can get backed like this. It is clear that in their previous runs, they were being given runs and how can this escape the notice of the Stipes who overlook this even when there is a reversal of form? Is it that the Stipes take the easy out and don't ask inconvenient questions?

Bernstein was unlucky to lose R M Puttanna Memorial Cup (Div I). The son of Local Talent did not have a smooth run and in the straight, had to be switched on the wide outside after being baulked for an opening along the rails. Bernstein covered lot of ground to be a close third behind surprise winner Star Eaglle and Anchor. Bernstein was surely done in by the luck of the race run which went against him. The lower division of the race went the way of friendless Highlevel who recorded an encore, leaving the field for dead at the top of the straight. The drifting odds on Forest Prince was a clear indicator of the shape of things to come and the Ganapathy ward was never in the hunt, trailing the field from the word `go'.

Storm The Fort (Suraj up) leading at 500M turn. Sure Future (David Badel up) seen 3rd from left

Smt. Rani Sundarammanni presenting the Cup to S.Singh, trainer of Star Eagle

The well-bred Conqueress, full sister to the well-performed Priceless Asset, had no difficulty in winning the day's opener. Just Amazing flashed home late from the rear to be an impressive second. She should strip fit after this run and should be in the money. Demanding showed some improvement over his previous effort when finishing third.