The price offered on Bold Faith in the betting ring was quite generous
under the circumstances Though Bold Faith had moved up swiftly into this
class, the fact that each of her wins had been impressive and they were
followed by the success of those finishing behind certainly made Bold
Faith’s form look imposing. Jockey Prakash raced Bold Faith in close
proximity of the front-running Aurelian and grabbed the initiative on
turning for home. Though Live Legend came menacingly close, Bold Faith
had enough reserves to pull through and win comfortably. Florcian came
from way behind to finish third.
Jockey Prakash consolidated his lead on the jockeys’ championship
stakes, by booting home three winners to go well clear of C Alford who
clearly had a bad day. Two horses cornered all the betting in the A
Raoof Sait Memorial Plate (Div I) but both of them flopped miserably,
paving the way for Jet Fire to win nourishing odds. The price on
ante-post favourite Antenor drifted from on-money to end up as a joint
favourite with Ruby Brown who came in for inspired support. One horse,
which did not get the needed support, was Jet Fire who had won over a
shorter trip in splendid fashion from a hopeless position early on. In
the event, Jet Fire who raced a handy second, kicked clear at the final
turn and Ruby Brown was in futile chase throughout. Antenor, who was not
well positioned by jockey Alford, had no ghost of a chance thereafter
and was a tame third.
The same fate awaited those who put their trust on the gold and red
colors of Deepak Khaitan in the lower division of the same race.
Appeasing was backed to the exclusion of her rivals but the daughter of
Razeen played truant, coming under pressure at the final bend and then
flopping miserably, belying the fine impression she had created by her
maiden win.
Mesmerising who led from the word 'go', came under pressure from Symbol
of Speed but managed to stay in front quite capably.
One other horse to disappoint was Rashid Byramji trained Appoint.
Fancied strongly to win by all and sundry, Appoint was never in
contention giving way for Arjun Mangalorkar’s Fairytaleending. The
latter won quite impressively from a late-finishing Mystro. Southerner
ran a good forward race.
Flightingale had been running consistently without success. Now taking
on modest opposition in the mile and half trip, Flightingale stayed put
in the front and though threatened by Epic at one stage, successfully
accomplished a start to finish mission in the hands of Alford.
Though the odds drifted on the bandaged Hawaiian Flower, the five-year
old daughter of Flitch fought out grimly with Worth A Million to snatch
the verdict on the post. Prakash however had an armchair ride to victory
on Moon Forest who smashed the opposition, making a no contest of the
race.
