While breeder and part-owner of Southern Empire Zavaray Poonawalla said
that he was a little disappointed with the performance of the champion
horse, trainer Padmanabhan had reason to feel elated that he has a horse
which could come within the striking distance Southern Empire, given the
invincible aura that surrounded the champion.
Southern Empire went
into the race as the shortest priced horse in the history of this race.
It was not surprising because Southern Empire had won each of his
outings in tremendous fashion which had inspired the commentator to
compare him with the best cars in the world. The opposition was weak as
only Running Bull who was running in a race for the first time after
being gelded had shown promise in a mock race. The temperamental Running
Bull who has settled down and is less prone to tantrums now, was
expected to run well but not expected to make Southern Empire sweat it
out.
National Trust did the job of the pace-maker, with Running Bull settled
in the third position ahead of Southern Empire. Approaching the final
bend, National Trust was ready to surrender with Running Bull coming to
take charge on the outside. Prakash was quick to realize the danger and
had swiftly moved up on Southern Empire and the duo fought for a furlong
before the champion asserted himself. Running Bull had to change course
from the rails after Southern Empire rolled over to the rails. The fact
that Running Bull ran so well and has the speed and the breeding to get
longer trips should make for an interesting Derby next month. Super
Speed ran on to finish third.
Trainer Ganapathy is heading towards a new landmark in the number of
winners that he is going to saddle during the Summer Season. The
trainer, who has already saddled 22 winners even before the half-way
mark, should more than double the tally by the time the season ends in
the second week of August. Ganapathy had three winners for the day, as
apart from Southern Empire, Mystical continued his winning streak and
Smart N Excellent put daylight between himself and the opposition.
The Gr.3 Chief Justice’s Cup had a classy field in the fray but with
Mystical proving to be so superior to the opposition, the odds on the
son of Alnasr Alwasheek were too cramped for comfort. This was so
because Holding Court, who had beaten him in the Indian Derby when
finishing second, was a jaded horse in his subsequent outings, was in
the fray without the benefit of a race run. Gallagher kept Holding Court
a handy second before taking charge at the final bend. He was strongly
challenged by Mystical but contrary to expectations, the latter did not
leave his opponent stranded. Instead, the duo were engaged in a battle
but close home, Mystical got stronger and spared a length at the finish.
Democraticus was a long way third ahead of Amazing Power. Now that
Holding Court has bounced back to form, the Gr.2 Maharaja’s Cup in the
first week of July should holds exciting possibilities if both these
runners are entered for the fray.
Trainer Padmanabhan has not yet struck the tally that he normally gets
at this part of the season. He has had a dozen horses which have
finished second and adding to the frustrating tally was Red Mustang who
failed to collar Ciampino by a whisker. There was inspired support for
first timer Corona Di Oro but the filly did not run to market
expectations. Ciampino who led the field all the way, came perilously
close to being overhauled by Red Mustang but the winning post was
sighted a fraction earlier and the photo went in favour of the
front-runner.
The price on Smart N Excellent drifted out in the ring as Lava came in
for support from the public though perhaps not from the right
connections. But once the trend became clear, Smart N Excellent was
backed to on-money favouritism and the son of Brave Hunter was not
troubled by any of the other runners as he checked in well clear of the
opposition. Jockey Krishnan on Lava went all over the place and finished
third despite his best efforts. The Stewards, who ordered an enquiry
into the riding of Krishnan, let him off with a suspension of one month.
Exclusive Gesture recorded a hat-trick of wins when he gamely held on
despite drifting out under pressure in the closing moments of the race.
Premier Star was second ahead of Aura who was given too much to do in
the homestretch despite which the Tirol progeny was an eye-catching
third. Padmanabhan’s Perfect Rhythm faced no resistance in the
concluding race of the day finishing well clear of Right Again and Cindy
Girl. There was inspired support for Amazing Gem but the daughter of
Steinbeck who will be better off tackling longer trips, was a faraway
fourth.
Storm Regent let down his followers badly in the 2000 metres Raja S R K
Ranga Row Memorial Cup. Royal Flash was expected to run well but the way
Gallagher set the pace, which would have done a sprinter proud, he was
bound to pack up. Even Storm Regent, who took charge after turning for
home, too ran out of steam and it was left to Amazing One and Sandokarn
who found foot late, to fight for honours. The latter managed to prevail
in the shadow of the post.
The first two races of the day had fallen to favourites Stone of Destiny
and Amorina who were backed to the exclusion of their rivals and won
quite capably with the former giving Warren Singh the first winner of
his new career as a trainer. In all, seven first favourites won in a
card of nine events which is not exactly a sign of healthy, competitive
sport.
