Not since the days of Elusive Pimpernel and Mystic Memory has one
trainer commanded the best of both sexes in the same year. While
Haunting Memories will continue to add to her list of achievements, the
unbeaten son of Placerville, Southern Empire is sure to extend his
'empire' right around the country.
Haunting Memories went into the race as the shortest priced horse in the
history of this race as the general perception was that the gold and
brown colours would occupy the first two slots in the races. Star
Perfection was expected to follow the favourite home but she did not run
to expectations when finishing a tame fourth.
Ruby Brown set a slow pace as Prakash on Haunting Memories was biding
for his time to shift from the outside draw to the rails. The
opportunity was provided as Rain Splasher did not step up the pace
behind the leader and this allowed Haunting Memories to move to the
desired position. Lombardie raced behind the front-runners, with the
others following in close proximity. The only runner who was not herself
was Sarabande who was hampered by the breaking of her girth buckle.
Jockey M R Singh repeatedly looked back to see where his stablemate was
and once he was sure of the position, he moved away from the rails to
let Haunting Memories slip through. Haunting Memories quickened in a
trice and went away from a win in a smart time of one minute 37.70
seconds. Lombardie came the shortest way home as Suraj Narredu elected
to come wide on Rain Splasher and the former held on to the second spot
ahead of Rain Splasher. Lombardie is rated highly by her trainer Imtiaz
Sait and going by the style of running of both the second and third
placed horses, they may fare better over longer trips.
Real Excellence, who had showed out in a mock race, had it easy against
in the 1400 metres Elusive Pimpernel Cup (Div I). Woman In Charge led
the field till the final furlong but once Real Excellence warmed up,
there was no stopping the well bred son of Steinbeck who charged home.
Woman In Charge was second ahead of The Dreamer while Auchinlech put in
a disappointing performance. The lower division of the race was claimed
by Andreas who made a profitable start to finish dash. Mucho thwarted
the bid of favourite Allied Victory to get the runner up spot. Hyderabad
horses were in limelight in two of the nine races. The run benefit
surely helped Sir Onslaught who ran prominently and then held on to win
from a late-finishing Bold Request. Jockey M Ravi did not let Golden
Circle run to potential and despite the best effort of the jockey to
restrain it from running on merits, Golden Circle dragged herself to the
fourth spot but the jockey got away with a mere fine. Lancashire proved
too good in the 1400 metres Ich Dien Plate, with a spirited run in the
final two furlongs to win as he pleased from Mister Trooper and Senna.
Musical Signature just about managed to edge out Hold The Fort to save
the day for the followers of the favourite. Jockey Shabuddin lost the
whip in the straight and this perhaps could have made a difference to
the final outcome. Satish Narredu, who saddled Musical Signature to
victory, had another winner coming through Amazing One who claimed the
1800 metres Sir Charles Todhunter Memorial Cup with ease from Sharp N
Smart. Favourite Magical Mystery who bolted to the front and set a
scorching pace from the word `go’, packed up without a trace by the time
the runners negotiated the final bend.
In the day’s other action, Alagi who had been pretty consistent, came
through to win the 1100 metres Galilee Plate quite easily from Really
Romantic who came up with a late flourish. The fancied Seize The Night
was never in the hunt.
