The Juvenile Million
had always produced absorbing contests and had proved to be a pointer to
the shape of things in the classics. While there is no denying the fact
that Haunting Memories will bag her share of races, the rest in the
field have no such hope and at best are average performers. Haunting
Memories picked up from where she left off at Mumbai and her debut in
Bangalore re-emphasized the fact that she continues to be on the boil.
Bold Faith set a fast pace as Prakash settled Haunting Memories
comfortably behind in the second slot and the filly settled down nicely
though she had won the plums at Mumbai with start to finish attempts.
Rounding the final bend, Bold Faith moved out to give way for Haunting
Memories along the rails and the daughter of Placerville slipped through
and sailed away for an effortless win. In the form that she is in, it is
hard to visualize anybody toppling her over trips up to a mile.
Jockey Mark Gallagher incurred the wrath of the Stewards for losing the
whip in the final furlong on Magical Mystery who lost by a whisker to
favourite Knight of Hearts. The favourite appeared to have lost the
cause as Magical Mystery had the race under her grasp at the top of the
straight but lost in the final stride as the jockey had to ride without
the aid of the whip and considering the closeness of the contest, it
surely made a material difference to the result. Gallagher is a jockey
who does not inspire confidence in the race-goers and his past must have
come to haunt him as the Stewards viewed the loss of the whip as a
serious lapse. As such, the suspension should be considered light as the
Stewards felt that the loss of the whip was not accidental.
The day’s racing was lackluster as the races did not attract quality
opposition. One of the good types of horses to be seen in action was
Flashy Wings who proved too good for the opposition, accounting for
Kodava Fire and Cascabel without much fuss.
Those who put faith in the abilities of five-kilo claimer Harsha and
backed Seize The Knight on the concluding race of the day ended up
regretting their decision as the apprentice could not aid his horse in
any appreciable manner. As such, Seize The Night who could have made
things hot for Chief’s Dream was a lost cause at the final turn. Chief’s
dream had no difficulty in checking in well clear of Olympic Crown,
Alagi and Seize The Knight.
Mumbai jockey T.S. Jodha recorded his first in Bangalore when he got a
fortuitous opening along the rails as favourite Sunny's Instinct rolled
out from the rails and the jockey managed to push Rebellious to win at
fancy odds. Fancied Axara had all the chances but did not quicken
appreciably at the all important end.
There was inspired support for Hyderabad challenger Sir Onslaught but
the favourite packed up after pacing with the eventual winner Chiquitita
up to the final bend. Chiquitita, who had failed to deliver in winter,
led the field from the word `go’ and won quite competently from a
late-finishing Amazing Gem who found foot when the race was in the safe
keeping of the front-runner. Another Hyderabad challenger, Traditional
Chic, however, had earlier obliged as a strong favourite in the day’s
opening race with a start to finish mission, with Little Robin chasing
the winner without hope.
In the day’s other action, Lovely Empress justified the strong support
she received in the ring, beating a disinterested opposition. For the
record, Sandokan and Amazing One occupied the next two spots.
