Trainer Ganapathy and jockey B. Prakash were questioned regarding the
running and riding of Ruben when he failed as a fancied runner last time
out. The Stipes report states that the trainer had instructed the rider
to keep his charge in fourth or fifth position in the early part of the
race and then ride out in the straight. Soon after the poor performance
of the horse, the rider had told the trainer that the horse was a bit
fractious in the gates and did not have initial speed and that he
gradually improved his position and rode out in the straight. The
trainer added that under the circumstances he was satisfied with the
riding of jockey Prakash. When questioned. Prakash corroborated the
above statement. While noting the explanation of the trainer, Prakash
was cautioned to be more judicious in the handling of his mount in
future. What was implied by the trainer and the jockey which was missed
by the Stipes was that the horse always senses the mood of the market
and is a very understanding horse!
Be that as it may, Einstein hit the front as the starter dispatched the
field for the seven furlong trip, with Game Fighter in second position
followed by Ruben Star and the rest. Rounding the final bend, Einstein
was easily passed by Ruben Star who simply outclassed the field by
sailing clear to win by a widening margin of six lengths. Einstein
stayed on to be second ahead of Sloane Square who narrowly held on to
the third spot ahead of Jet Fire. Ruben Star The winner clocked an
excellent time of one minute 26.92 seconds considering the fact that the
underfoot conditions put a premium on performance.
Mystified continued to disappoint, finishing a poor third in the 1800
metres Azhar Plate. There was solid support for Super Power but the
front-runner slackened in the final furlong and Local Warrior came from
behind, fought resolutely and won capably. Mystified was third. Super
Power collapsed while returning to the unsaddling enclosure and died.
Possibly, the horse was in distress. Timely medical help in the form of
providing oxygen may help the cause of such horses which are exhausted
at the end of a race. Incidentally, another horse, Counter Punch, also
died soon after the mock race which was held after the last race of the
day.
Dominic trained Lord of Illusion had finished second best on three
occasions during the season. However, this time out, the son of Brave
Act obliged though jockey Appu had to drive out the favourite to contain
the challenge of Mangalya Prarambh and Imperium. The last named can pick
up a race soon, possibly with a step up in distance.
Sweeping Success was once again an expensive failure. Following her
impressive fourth in the Fillies Trial Stakes, the full sister to Lady
One, was the betting rage. She struggled for pace on and found foot only
when the race was in the safe keeping of the front-running Logans Run.
Snow Ranger was inconvenienced by An Equal Music and was denied of a
clear run when the race was on the boil and this may have cost him
second spot.
Mark Zahra, who was astride Snow Ranger, was however, successful in two
races. The jockey’s fine pace judgment enabled Badge of Honour to get
the better of Turf Magic. Auchinlech who was the firm favourite, bolted
to the front as jockey Suraj Narredu was unable to ride him restraint
and seemed to be a spent force when he took the final turn. To make
matters worse, he also bled and finished dismally. Jockey Appu on Turf
Magic also erred in chasing the front runner and this caused the second
favourite to slow down in the dying moments of the race. Badge of Honour
who was ridden in restraint despite the runaway tactics adopted by the
market fancies, had reserves of energy and this enabled the Darashah
ward to pass the front-runner in the shadow of the post.
Zahra was also successful on Royal Treasure who proved too good for the
opposition in the concluding race of the day. Royal Treasure who had
finished fourth in his last outing, benefited by the forward run, and
won with ease, getting better at the finish of the six furlong trip.
Royal Treasure may be better off tackling a slightly extended trip.
In the day’s other action, Super Woman left the field standing to win as
a strong favourite in the hands of New Zealand jockey Vincent Colgan.
Dock of Bay dragged apprentice jockey Selvaraj into prominence, winding
his way through and finishing an impressive second. Selvaraj’s riding
did not find favour with the Stewards who stood down the jockey for six
race days.
