Brown Sugar knocks out the favourite
By Sharan Kumar

Brown Sugar brought off a stunning upset in the Gr 2 Karnataka Juvenile Million, the star event of Sunday. Run as Knockout Million thus far, the race lived up to its billing as being a graveyard for the favourites. Brown Sugar won at the expense of favourite Lancaster and the strongly supported One Magical Moment. 

Lancaster was literally knocked out of contention by the eventual winner. The resultant objection by trainer Michael Eshwer and the indifference of jockey Srinath who lost a certain race, ensured that the result stayed. The overwhelming opinion at the racecourse was that the objection was valid and the interference not only ruined Lancaster's chances but also was life threatening for the interfered jockey. But then in BTC, there is no sanctity for such niceties as keeping a straight course. Silva Storai was slapped with a fine of only Rs 2,000, the Stewards ignoring the gravity of the offence and considering the fact that the jockey has been time and again fined for a similar reason. 

Srinath was fined Rs 5,000 for tendering ``misleading evidence'' during the enquiry following the objection lodged by the trainer. Strangely, the jockey chose not to lodge the objection. His reasoning may be that in the event of the objection being upheld, the beneficiary would have been One Magic Moment and not Lancaster but he was duty bound to do so. His not doing so was unprofessional. While the victory of Irfan Gahtala's Brown Sugar was a cause for celebration because a group of small owners walked with the plum, the fact remains that they were lucky to do so. 

Brown Sugar (Ms Silva Storai up) winner of  the Karnataka Juvenile Million (Grade II) being led by trainer Irfan Ghatala and owners.

Freeze of presentation ceremony

Jockey Kamlesh took One Magic Moment on a start to finish mission, with Brown Sugar racing about fourth or fifth position ahead of Lancaster who was along the rails. Approaching the first bend at the 900 metre marker, Silva looked over her shoulders and suddenly cut across, and Lancaster hit the running rail as Srinath had to check his mount abruptly in order to avoid a collision. The mishap caused Lancaster to lose considerable ground, which put paid to his chances. Srinath had to work his way to move up and again in the straight, he was hampered for a clear run by Brown Sugar. Only in the last 50 metres could Lancaster get a clear run but by then the cause was lost. Brown Sugar went ahead of a tiring One Magic Moment close home to win by ½ a length with Lancaster an identical distance behind. 

While jockey Kamlesh erred in going at a fast clip, he compounded his problems by spurting with the filly at around the 450 metres when no one had challenged him at that stage. Instead of waiting with the filly, he put pressure on One Magic Moment to go clear. The daughter of Tirol had a considerable break over the rest and her win was well in sight but Kamlesh was unable to keep One Magic Moment on the rails and the filly veered out of a straight course and lost close home. Kamlesh may have impressive record at Mumbai but he will take a while to prove that he is not run-of-the-mill. Hyderabad challenger Onnu Onnu Onnu who raced upfront battled on to finish a good fourth.

 Arjun Mangalorkar's Royal Lord made a smashing debut in the 1400 metres Paddiwick Plate. Full brother to the well performed Antequera, Royal Lord had blazed the track and predictably went into the race as the overwhelming favourite. Despite being drawn on the outside and having to travel wide most of the time, visiting Frenchman Poirier had no difficulty in guiding Royal Lord to a facile win. Tunisia had a good forward run and may strike soon. Royal Lord is a good type of youngster and has potential to make his mark in the big events.

Poirier had earlier won on Hyderabad challenger Integral who proved too superior for the opposition by winning from the word `go'. Both Royal Lord and Integral are owned by the Brars and both have a bright future ahead of them. Integral may find the opposition tough in the Fillies Trial Stakes but should make her presence felt at her home center.

Integral (M Poirier up) winner of the Paddiwick Plate being led in by owner A.K.S. Brar and trainer Arjun Mangalorkar

Punters were lucky to get a good price on Loknath's National Victory as the odds drifted out on her as the filly played up during the paddock parade and was examined by the vets at the starting gate before being allowed to run. There was also considerable money on Ooty import Facts of Life. In the event, National Victory showed that her tantrums had no effect on her performance by flatfooting the opposition. Wuthering Heights, Facts of Life and the other Ooty imports seen in action thus far have proved to be duds but one of these days there will be a big surprise when everyone begins to take these horses for granted.

Beat It Dude was one of the several impressive winners of the day. The son of Procida proved too good for the opposition winning as he pleased. Assumer, who attempted runaway tactics, nevertheless stayed on take the runner-up spot. The son of Twist And Turn should make amends soon. Golden Fortune who finished third is another one who deserves to be followed. In the day's other action, Red Flame beat Luca Brassi and then survived an objection and Darashah's Emilo easily had the measure of a reluctant Lusitania.

National Victory (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Prince Thartoum Plate being led in by owner Narayan Gowda & Noorulla Khan. Also seen trainer Loknath. (extreme right)