Hawke Bay impressive in victory
By Sharan Kumar

Padmanabhan trained Hawke Bay recorded an impressive win in his lead up race to the classics on Saturday. It is possible that quite a lot of supporters of Hawke Bay would have been disappointed because the son of Alnasr Alwasheek did not exactly swamp the opposition, as they would have liked him to do so. Saratoga Sizzle ensured that Hawke Bay had to be extended fully to prevail. The rest of the runners were a distance behind. What is flattering about Hawke Bay's win, one would be tempted to ask. Everything about Hawke Bay's win suggested to his being on course for his target, the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes.

Hawke Bay was running after a long lay off. He was rested at Nanoli Stud Farm for two weeks en route to Bangalore from Mumbai after recording a smashing win. Hawke Bay is a type of horse who will improve leaps and bounds with each run. And Saratoga Sizzle is no mean horse. He had finished in line with Bay of Angels and Sunraj during the last Mysore season. Bay of Angels went on to win the Gr 1 Stayers Cup while Sunraj was the horse of the season during the last Bangalore winter season. Saratoga Sizzle obviously did not progress on the expected lines but the talent was always there. As such, Hawke Bay's resolute win puts things in proper perspective. 

Hawke bay went into the race at very cramped odds. Jockey Malesh Narredu found himself in front on Hawke Bay and decided to let the son of Alnasr Alwasheek to win on his own terms. Hawke Bay led all the way and except for a brief while when Saratoga Sizzle threatened to sizzle past the front-runner, Hawke Bay always had things under control. When faced with adversity, Hawke Bay pulled out his reserves to win with something on hand. Smart Striker who was expected to pose a problem or two to the favourite, finished way down the field. He was simply outclassed.

Hawke Bay (M Narredu up) winner of the Speaker's Cup being led in owner Mr. & Mrs. K.N. Dhunjibhoy. Also seen trainer S Padmanabhan towards left.

Harindra Shetty, steawrd of BTC presenting the Speaker's Cup to owner Mrs.K.N.Dhunjibhoy.

Padmanabhan had reason to celebrate as his other ward Kia Ora went on to record a hat trick of wins. The got-abroad filly Kia Ora who had won last week in the hands of Zia, who wins once in eternity, was pitched into the fray within a weak, which is quite unlike what the trainer normally does. Padmanabhan was quick to grab the opportunity of exploiting the fitness of the horse and what appeared to be a gift race by entering Kia Ora in the 1600 metres K N Guruswamy Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above. Top-weighted Gisele received inspired support in the betting ring so much so that Kia Ora was let to run at nourishing odds. Many ignored the fact that Gisele had reached her mark having won in older company during the winter season while Kia Ora still had scope to move up in scales. 

Kia Ora (P Kamlesh up) winner of the K N Guruswamy Memorial Cup being led in by trainer S Padmanabhan and owner K N Dhunjibhoy

Jockey Kamlesh took Kia Ora on a start to finish mission and the front-runner battled on gamely. Inside the final 250 metres, it looked as though Gisele could overhaul the front-runner but in the end Kia Ora stretched away to win by over three lengths in an excellent time of one minute 39.78 seconds. Gisele held on to nose out Prevalence for the runner-up berth. Kia Ora has swiftly moved to the highest class. The trainer could possibly think of exploiting the filly in the graded races where she will be favoured by the terms.

Fond Fantasy from trainer Ganapathy's yard, bounced back into classic contention by beating the opposition pointless in the P Framji Memorial Plate. Fond Fantasy had come out of the maidens' ranks in splendid fashion in winter but did not run thereafter as the filly reportedly hurt herself en route to Mumbai for the juvenile millions. Fond Fantasy should surely be a frontline contender for the classics. The upper division of the race saw an exciting tussle between Crown Royal and Fabulous Jet, with the former staving off a resolute challenge from his opponent. The well-bred Fabulous Jet may be better off tackling extended trips, up to a mile.

Charleston justified the favoritism in the Esquire Plate (Div I) and swelled the tally of first season stallion Glory of Dancer. But the workmanlike victory of Charleston belies the hype about him. Rhapsody In Blue had a good forward run while Zabdiel was finishing on when the cause was lost. The lower division of the race went the way of Greenlawn who easily accounted for Candramala and Imperial Fire. Wuthering Heights, the Ooty import, ran dismally and toiled at the tail end of the field.

After a frustrating wait, Bin Tin Tin finally obliged, winning the lower division of the Astounding Plate. Bin Tin Tin who had let down the connections innumerable times, got strong on the wide outside to win in the hands of apprentice jockey Shelar who incidentally completed riding 40 winners. Lucky Spell nosed out favourite Wovoka for the second spot. Wovoka's runaway tactics came to grief as the five-year old gelding who has technically remained a maiden, slackened when the pressure was applied on him. Darashah trained Old Meldrum won the upper division of the race quite capably from Flirt With Speed.

Fond Fantasy (B Prakash up) winner of the P Framji Memorial Plate Div II being led in by trainer S Ganapathy and Owner M A M R. Muthaiah

Charleston (C Alford up) winner of the Esquire Plate Div I being led in by trainer D Byramji