Star Alone springs a surprise
By Sharan Kumar

Michael Eshwer's career graph is certainly on the upswing. The hard-working trainer, who is a formidable presence both in Bangalore and at Mysore, has often extracted the best of results from seemingly run-of-the-mill horses. The victory of small made Star Alone was indeed a credit to the trainer's ability to get his wards to perform at their best all the time, often benefiting from other's lack of will to win. Christopher Alford, the darling of Kolkata race goers has often caused heartburn to the racing enthusiasts in Bangalore. His unimaginative ride on Network ensured that Star Alone brought off a big upset in the Karnataka Police Cup, the main event of Saturday's races. 

Network, who had scope to move up on the handicap scale, was well placed to claim the Karnataka Police Cup. Noble Executive was another who too had good credentials but then the son of Placerville has never done well in the hands of jockey Prakash and all the noteworthy runs have been when the Irishman Gallagher was in the saddle. Network was drawn in stall number four and on either side of the stall; the horses appeared to be little restive when the start was about to be given. The horse lost his concentration or the jockey was not alert at the start, Network lost considerable ground at the start, which coupled with the jockey's poor management of the situation thereafter ensured the defeat of the fancied runner. The Stipes felt that the jockey could not be blamed for the poor start the joint favourite had. 

Star Alone (P Kamlesh up) winning the Karnataka Police cup from Network (C Alford up)


Star Alone (P Kamlesh up) winner of  the Karnataka Police cup being led by trainer Eshwer.

After being slowly off, the least that Alford could have done was to nurse the son of Twist And Turn but instead he chose to quickly move up, on the wide outside when the steep gradient has been the undoing of many a good race. In Bangalore, the runners claim about 38 ft from the 600-metre marker to the winning post. Network had expended all his energies when taking over from the front-running Noble Executive. He had nothing left in his tank when Star Alone pounced on him and went down tamely. Brunswick who had made good strides in the winter season, finished with a rattle to be a close third. Now that Brunswick has proved that he is not out of depth in this class, he should get his turn soon. 

If the jockeyship of Alford cost Network his deserved success, a fine piece of tactical riding by Pesi Shroff ensured the victory of Ching Mai. Visiting Frenchman Poirier has a trick or two to learn from a stalwart like Shroff as he found himself in a quandary at a crucial stage of the race on favourite Baffert. Crow Wood led from the start and approaching the final bend, the front-runner appeared to have shot his bolt. Poirier, who was tracking behind on Baffert, did not quickly move out and make his move on the outside of the front-runner. Shroff sensing the opportunity quickly moved on the wide outside and closed the gap and left Baffert behind a tiring Crow Wood. The Frenchman was all at sea as he pulled Baffert out to make his run. But by that time, Ching Mai had the race well sewn up. Baffert finished full of running to be an eye-catching second. What was admirable about Shroff was that he made his maneuver in such a manner that it was neither interference nor intimidation. The wily cat that Shroff is, he has not lost any of his skills for which he is famous.

Eshwer's Explosivo proved too good for a poor set of juveniles while winning the upper division of the Rare Gem Plate in taking style. Amazing Ability got the better of Samyuktaa to get the second spot. The lower division of the race saw a much poorer opposition. Hey Hero hit the front and stayed there against a set of disinterested and dispirited challengers. 

Trainer Darashah who saddled Hey Hero to upset victory recorded a double for the day.. Luffness held off a stiff challenge from Alphonso to win the Tudor Jet Plate (Div I). Luffness is a good type of a younger. Sore shins had kept Alphonso out of action for most of the winter season where he had just one outing. He looked trifle gross in the paddock but he should come on a lot after this run. And considering the quality of youngsters running at this point of time, he should be a good thing next time out. The lower division of the race saw the well-bred Priceless Princess swamping the opposition.

Explosivo (m Narredu up) winner of the Rare Gem Palte Div I being led in by trainer M Eshwer.

Springtide had every credential to run as a favourite but it was evident that the fancied runner was not going to put his best foot forward judging by the lackadaisical start. As a maiden, Springtide had beaten the likes of Crow Wood. Jockey Imran Khan's lack of efforts would have become obvious but luckily for him, there was a fall in front of him and he was able to pull out of the harm's way. Poem who led from the start barely managed to hang on to the lead to win from I Am Beautiful and Diamond Tops. 

M P Mahaesh trained Differential brought off a big upset in the 1600 metres Malakpet Plate by leading from the word `go' and refusing to budge from that position. Balle Sher who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals, was out of depth despite all the chances and lost the runner-up berth close home to Alto. The optimism was clearly misplaced.

Poem (Shakti Singh up) winner of  the Bhishma Plate being led in by trainer Karan Singh.