Top Gun gets overdue success
By Sharan Kumar

For sheer consistency, Michael Eshwer trained Top Gun had to get his due. Favoured by the terms of the race, Top Gun fought a gutsy battle with stablemate Bryce Canyon before emerging a clear cut winner in the Gr 3 Chief Minister's Cup, a sprint race for four-year olds and over, the star event of Sunday's races. Cape Martin ran below par while Perfect Venue, contrary to what many believed, found the opposition too tough to handle and was surely out of depth.

With there being not too many terms race for sprinters like Top Gun who have reached their mark in handicap scale, the five-year old gelding had to carry back-breaking loads despite which he had acquitted himself creditably, always earning more than his corn bill. Assigned to carry 53 kgs on his back, he looked a sure shot though stablemate and Sprinters' Cup winner Bryce Canyon was a realistic threat. Four-year old Cape Martin too was well placed in scales to throw a spanner in the scheme of things.

Srinath had Bryce Canyon in front from the outside draw, with Perfect Venue close on his heels while Top Gun and Cape Martin raced a few lengths adrift of the front-runner. Rounding the final bend, Bryce Canyon spurted away to establish what looked like a useful lead over the opposition. But Top Gun came through the middle with a rattle and after a brief tussle for supremacy, got stronger and won with a measure of comfort. Bryce Canyon was a clear second, a shade over two lengths ahead of the battling due of Perfect Venue and Cape Martin. Full marks to Michael Eshwer who has been going great guns and has proved to be an asset for his owners by the consistency with which he has been winning races and earning stake money.

Mr. Marilingaiah, Chairman of BTC presenting the 
Chief Minister's Cup to M. Eshwer, trainer of Top Gun.



Top Gun (M Narredu up) winning the Chief Minister's Cup (Grade III) from Bryce Canyon (Y S Srinath up)

The Badami Cup, a race for horses rated 30 to 45, was run in two divisions. Trainer Padmanabhan scored a point or two when saddling Southern Goddess to a fine win. The daughter of Brave Hunter, Southern Goddess has been an over achiever and the trainer gets the credit, both for his placing as well as getting the filly to perform at her optimum best which has catapulted her to the highest class. Prince Valiant, who had won the Mysore 2000 Guineas when under the care of Padmanabhan, had changed stables after that success and now in the care of Rashid Byramji, the son of Green Forest was expected to overrun the opposition considering the reputation he enjoyed. At least that was the perception of those who backed Prince Valiant with conviction. But in the end, they ended up ruing their decision, as Prince Valiant was not up to giving weight and a beating to a fitter Southern Goddess who enjoyed a pull in weights.

Trainer S Padmanabhan receiving the trophy from G Krishnappa, Member of the Managing Committee of BTC

Apprentice jockey Ashwin Rao took Southern Goddess on a start to finish mission, with Prince Valiant breathing down his neck. Southern Goddess did not slacken on turning for home and despite the enormous amount of pressure applied on the favourite by jockey Pesi Shroff, the son of Green Forest was not quickening to the desired effect. The pressure told on Prince Valiant as he literally sank on his legs but Shroff was able to quickly recover his balance and manage to stay in the saddle. The mishap cost the favourite the runner-up spot too as Hero Worship moved from behind to finish ahead of Prince Valiant. The talented son of Green Forest has proved to be a difficult horse to train.

Earlier in the day, Ashwin Rao was on overwhelming favourite Crush. Crush had no doubt worked well but considering the fact that the filly has been plagued by soundness problems and had not come within five lengths of the winner thus far, the blind support she got from the punters was surprising to say the least. Ashwin tried hard to settle the filly but one of the horses on his outside bumped into him, causing a cut injury on the tendon of the left fore leg. Though Crush covered up ground, the filly was clearly feeling the pain and was inclined only to take more support from the right leg as she was shifting in despite being switched out time and again. Loknath's Fifty Fifty was the beneficiary, winning at the expense of Crystal Hill. Crush finished third. Krishnan who rode the winner, was doing so after a lapse of so many years during which time, he had spent a harrowing time, heroically battling for his life. As Krishnan returned to the jockeys room, he was given a big ovation by his fellow colleagues. 

If the upper division of the Badami Cup had its own share of excitement, the lower division of the same race turned out to be an anti-climax. Saratoga Sizzle who had run Hawke Bay close, was the overwhelming favourite but the four-year old colt bolted while on his way to the starting gate. It took a long time before Saratoga Sizzle was withdrawn from the fray. Florale ended up the favourite by default but it was Nimitz who put paid to the hopes of others who had hoped to capitalize on the absence of the favourite, by winning with ease. Magic Mantra flashed home on the wide outside to edge past La Bella Vita for the second spot. Make a note of La Bella Vita who is showing signs of returning to winning form.

Fifty Fifty (C Krisnan up) winning the Ankara Plate from Crystal Hill (Rakesh up)

Nimitz (Y S Srinath up) winning the Badami Cup Div II from Jumping For Joy (David Badel up)

Both the divisions of the Y Ramachandra Rao Memorial Plate were well contested. Chilli Girl wore out the challenge of Red Chief to win with a measure of comfort while Own Vision, the stablemate of the favourite, was an unexpended third. While Red Chief would surely relish trips longer than seven furlongs, Own Vision who is a good type of a youngster, has served notice of an imminent success. Believer was the betting rage in t he lower division and the victory of the favourite was taken for granted as he had run a brilliant fourth to Ramjet in his previous outing. Believer had also done an outstanding spurt. There was also strong support for One Aim along with Alannah. Jumping For Joy was certainly no joy to the followers of favourite as the daughter of Local Talent floored the opposition, recording a surprise win at the expense of Believer who warmed up to the task rather late in the day. He took his own time to pick up momentum. One Aim had the first run on his adversaries but the son of Razeen faded out as quickly as he showed out. Something must be bothering this talented gelding. Jumping For Joy came through the middle to take charge even as Srinath was hard at work on Believer. To add excitement, Shakti Singh who appeared to relax too much on Talented Unlimited woke up late and came charging home along with Alannah. However, Jumping For Joy had seized the initiative by then. Beliver edged out Talent Unlimited and Alannah who circled the field at the bend to make his run to finish second best. Jockey Shakti Singh was suspended for six race days for his apparent lack of effort while trainer Karan Singh was fined Rs 5,000.

`Thumbs Up` from Suraj Narredu after winning the race on Chilli Girl.
Jumping For Joy (David Badel up) rallying third in this race as horses negotiate the bend at 600M. 

Trainer Darashah has always harvested winners by his clever placing as also due to his colleagues' lack of will to win. He had a double through Rhapsody In Blue and Essex. The victory of Essex was impressive. The son of Glory of Dancer, who lacked initial speed, was not advantageously placed in the early part and at a crucial stage of the race, ran into a wall of horses. But Appu quickly switched him on the outside without wasting time and Essex quickened in a trice to leave the field dead. Brave Dash who took charge on turning for home after having problems at the start, stayed on to be second. Essex should swiftly move up in the scale.