Barring the loss to Petronella over five
furlongs in her debut run, Haunting Memories has remained unbeaten. She
has essayed the mile long trip in Mumbai and won capably though she was
drifting out in the final furlong. The fact that she had too many runs
in the season might have made her a wee bit tired on that occasion but
the mile long trip in Bangalore, with its numerous bends and short
straight are advantageous to horses like her whose forte is speed.
The one runner who can really test her to the hilt is Padmanabhan
trained Rain Splasher. Bred to stay, Rain Splasher went down fighting to
Flaming Glory earlier in the season. She definitely has the potential
but at this point of time, she lacks the crucial ingredient namely
experience. Over staying trips, Rain Splasher will be better off than
Haunting Memories. On the last occasion that she lost to Flaming Glory,
she did not have a clear run in the early part and reacted adversely to
the bump she got early on and ran green. Only in the straight she
started to stretch out but by the time she warmed up, the race was in
the safe keeping of the front runner. Rain Splasher lacks early
speed which is what affects her chances. Considering the fact that she
has been shining in the preparatory workouts, she should go close to the
favourite.
Among the others in the fray, the improving Lombardia from trainer
Imtiaz Sait’s stables is the one to watch out. Lombardia won twice at
Mumbai in impressive fashion but it is difficult to assess her abilities
as she ran against modest opposition back home. She had the feel of the
track when running faraway second to Flashing Star in a mock race.
Ganapathy’s Star
Perfection was a very impressive winner of a mile race earlier during
the season. The daughter of Steinbeck definitely showed striking
acceleration and her spirited victory has made many believe that if
there is any one in the field to upset Haunting Memories, it is her
stablemate Star Perfection. One has to wait and see how she copes
against this opposition but there is no doubt that she is on the
upgrade.
Jaggy Dhariwal’s
Sarabande won four races on the trot in winter and though her lead up
race hasn’t been noteworthy, the fact remains that she is a full
sister to Lindsay, the winner of this race two years ago. Symbol of
Speed who won the Governor’s Trophy over a mile in winter, has the
breeding to be a force.
The Jockeys Association of India had informed the Bangalore Turf Club
that the jockeys would strike work if medical facilities during the
races were not upgraded. However, the matter has been sorted out as the
BTC has summoned Para-Medical staff to be on duty in the upgraded
ambulance along with the club’s doctors. President of JAI, Sinclair
Marshall said with the BTC acting swiftly to JAI’s representation,
therewould be no disturbance to this week’s races.
