Big B devoured ground with big strides to easily overhaul the
front-running Noble Excellency who was shaping to win. Favourite
Imperialism was not sighted.
There was big support
for Imperialism who had been edged out of second spot by Galloping
Bay in his last essay. However, the son of Greensmith was never in
contention, finishing dismally. Demanding set a scorching pace and
looked like lasting out but his reserves ran out rounding the final bend
even as Noble Excellency took charge inside the final 300 metres.
However, his supremacy was short lived as Big B came with raking strides
to win with a measure of comfort. Demanding was third. The lower
division of the race went the way of Romantic Count who has now matured
into a consistent performer. Romantic Count had no problem in winning
from Torodoro who was a leisurely second. Al Qamar enjoyed favouritism
but the four-year old gelding who is said to be a choker under pressure,
packed up at the top of the straight after showing out prominently.
Jockey B Prakash was lucky to escape with a mere fine of Rs.10,000 for
his lacklustre effort on Smarty in the Star Contender Plate. Prakash sat
behind on the market fancy and hardly moved a muscle till the final
furlong. Smarty flew home to lose narrowly. There was a flood of money
on Purusharth who added to the misery of punters by putting up a
pathetic show. Adelaide, who had run a forward race last time out,
lasted out from Settle The Score to win at nourishing odds. Smarty
reportedly came back lame and this was perhaps what influenced the
Stewards’ decision to treat Prakash leniently. However, it was apparent
that Smarty who flew home showed no signs of distress during the race.
Prakash is a champion rider and as such, he carries public trust with
him and the onus is on him to be a fair public expectations.
Trainer Rashid Byramji, who has been biding his time, had a well priced
winner through Exclaim in the High Commission Cup (Div). Though Exclaim
was blazing the track, it was Lava who came in for sudden burst of money
which ensured that he ran as a favourite. Lava took charge at the final
bend but ran out of gas even as his supporters were hailing him as a
winner. Tina’s Triumph, who had everything going for him, had no answer
when Exclaim swooped on him with a powerful run. High Tower who had
stripped fit after a couple of outings, managed to win the lower
division from favourite One Tough Guy who took time to warm up. The
Hyderabad challenger badly needed this run and One Tough Guy should make
a profitable essay next time out. Contare Su Me continued to disappoint.
Nityanand trained Turf Raider, who had run a forward race in his last
outing, landed the spoils without much fuss in the Beautiful Babe Plate
(Div.I). Incidentally, both the divisions of the race went to the
progeny of Young Senor. Turf Raider who moved swiftly from the fourth
position to be in a prominent position at the top of the straight,
powered his way to victory despite drifting out slightly under pressure.
There was quiet support for Dancing Duke who found the eventual winner
too hard to catch up. Spirited Commander put in an eye-catching
performance. The lower division of the race went the way of Star
Movements who had the race in her control from the word `go’.
Sanjay Kolse had done well to bring Raphaela into fine trim after the
filly had gone sour. As a three-year old, Raphaela had accounted for
horses like Venus Arising and Warsaw Pact. Raphaela had showed signs of
coming good, with a resolute win back home at Mumbai and turning out in
much better shape here in Bangalore; she had the measure of Trade Fair
quite capably. Spectacular Blaze was the favourite but he was not up to
defying the penalty for his last win. The Peak ran a poor race.
