Water Wood had recorded a smashing win in his last outing in winter and
was spot on as evidenced by his workouts. Taurian had run purposefully
in the Sprinters Cup at Chennai despite not getting the luck of the race
and he had acquitted himself against some quality opposition in the
past. However, it was Water Wood and Laguna Blue which caught the market
fancy as both were strongly favoured to win. Laguna Blue had all the
chances but weakened under pressure. Laguna Blue had recovered
remarkably from a knee chip operation and won twice before running
behind River God in one of the terms races which spoiled his handicap
and perhaps took its toll on him as he has not been able to reproduce that run on more than one occasion when strongly
fancied. He seems to be out of depth at the moment and may be a little
drop in handicap can see him in better light.
Water Wood led all the way, with Laguna Blue in close attendance and the
rest in close proximity of each other. Water Wood kicked on gamely on
turning for home and shaped like a winner until jockey Vivek pulled
Taurian from the rails and gave him a free run on the outside. The
five-year old gelding picked up speed and managed to edge out the front
runner close home. Explosivo flashed on the scene rather late and took
the third spot. Only For Gold, a rousing performer till she had a
setback at Delhi, needed this run and she bears watching.
Suraj Narredu lost another race in a close encounter. Grastronomique who
came in for inspired betting in the ring, almost collared the
front-running Candrakanta close home but Suraj lost his whip at a
crucial stage of the race and this perhaps ensured a short head win for
the latter. Suraj of old would have won with or without the whip but
then this was his first day after a longish absence from the saddle and
he should sharpen up from now on. Favourite Jojoba was not sighted.
Jojoba was not the only favourite to play truant on the day. Two other
horses, Silken Star and Wingnaprayer, which looked invincible in their
respective races ended up second best. Silken Star which enjoyed a high
rating from the stable and considered a frontline contender for the Gr.1
Fillies Trial Stakes, shaped like a winner in the final furlong but Talk
of The Devil, who picked momentum, managed to pip the favourite in the
shadow of the post. The progeny of Concordial have been faring well of
late though the Daryanani Stud where he stood has wound up operations. Zooming and Amelie took the next two spots on the frame.
Wingnaprayer had won in great style when last seen in action in winter
and she had all the credentials to give a repeat show. However, her lack
of fitness told as she slackened on turning for home.
Scintillating Skill, full sister to Stayers Cup winner Bay of Angels, was
outpaced in the early part of the race but covered ground rapidly
half way through the race and then burst clear to win quite capably.
Pretty Queen was third ahead of Trade Fair who also lacked
sharpness.
Scintillating Skill won like a horse that would enjoy a trip of mile and
a half.
Trainer Nityanand who was short on luck in winter, started the season on
a bright note, saddling the well fancied Maple Fondant to victory. Maple
Fondant won with a great deal of comfort from a late-finishing Over
Power. Lace And Whiskey was the market fancy but she was unworthy of the
trust as she was not sighted. Lace And Whiskey’s trainer has a poor
record with favourites and added to that, the daughter of Warrshan was
running after a longish absence from the track.
Darashah trained Panmure who was backed to the exclusion of her rivals,
won without fuss against a set of disinterested opposition. Arjun
Mangalorkar’s Hawaiian Sunrise, who was blazing the rack, took on a poor
quality of opposition and her win was always on cards. In the day’s
other action, Ladyfeelgood towered over the opposition and she won
decisively from Royal Brackla. For strange reasons, Eden came in for
strong support and it was clearly evident that the trust was
misplaced.
