True to the script, the race ran exactly as expected, with
Classic Sky taking the third spot ahead of Sweeping Success and Perfect
Tribute. A mere three lengths separated the second from the fifth.
It has been a long time since a professional from Mumbai landed the big
plum in Bangalore. The stake money won by Alvarita was much better that
taken by the Indian 1000 Guineas winner last year. The hard-working
trainer Imtiaz Sait who was going through a lean patch could not have
hoped for a better way to bring about change in fortunes, with success
in one of the biggest classic events of the country. For Pesi Shroff who
is in his third year as a trainer, it was a mixed blessing as Astraea,
despite her inexperience and her tendency to run out, did well to be a
good second and once she learns to relax and matures, she can be a tough
nut to crack in the winter classics. Shroff’s other two runners Quest
For Cash, who had got the better of Alvarita over a mile back home when
the latter 'bled' at Mumbai and Livorino ran below expectations and were
found to be out of depth. Hyderabad challenger Auxiliary ran a fair race
and she will be a force to reckon with at her home centre where she has
already established herself as a champion.
The speedy daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek, Astraea was ahead of the pack
when the starter dispatched the field for the mile long trip but after
traversing some distance, allowed Living Luxury, the assigned pacemaker
of the gold and brown brigade to dictate the pace. Perfect Tribute raced
a handy third ahead of Auxiliary, Ocean Crest, Alvarita, Lush Foliage,
Classic Sky, Quest for Cash, Livorino and the rest. Reflected Glory who
lost some ground at the start was last of 13 runners.
Rounding the final bend, it was Astraea who charged ahead even as
Alvarita who had made smooth progress, challenged her strongly. Jockey
Alford quickly reacted when Astraea began to drift out and changed
course to go on the inside of the second favourite whose jockey Spiteri
was hard at work to prevent the drift while Classic Sky was moving
strongly ahead of Perfect Tribute who was not able to quicken to the
extent of making a mark on the front-runners. Alvarita went clear of her
pursuers in the final furlong to come home a facile winner by over four
lengths. Astraea was second ahead of Classic Sky, Sweeping Success and
Perfect Tribute. Quest for Cash and Livorino did not run to the hype
generated by their supporters.
Despite a letter by the owner of Three of Arts, requesting for change of
jockey Srinath, the authorities turned down the request. The price on
Three of Arts which had drifted initially came down drastically to end
up as even money favourite. In the event, the top-weighted Three of Arts
who was pushed to race with the front group contrary to instructions,
did not have the gas to carry on and finished dismally. It was left to
Hyderabad challenger Shikra from trainer Donald Netto’s yard to win the
race in tremendous fashion. Shikra who is a full brother to the well
performed Jet Fire, came through on the wide outside in the final
furlong and won going away from unfancied Beckham and Cromwell.
Assert The Right was expected to have a decisive say in the 2000 metres
Sir Charles Todhunter Memorial Cup but the three-year old was out of
depth and finished poorly. It was left to Fairytaleending to contain the
challenge of Red Mustang to win at nourishing odds. It was truly a
disappointing show by Assert The Right who is a full brother to Derby
winning Flashing Star.
Jockey Mark Zahra drove out In the Zone to get the better of Associator
in the 1200 metres His Majesty Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds.
Associator had the first run on his opponents but In the Zone, who
gathered momentum with a smooth acceleration, wore down the front-runner
to go clear in the shadow of the post.
Padmanabhan trained Passion To Perform had the right credentials to win
the seven furlong race for maiden three-year olds as she had run an
eye-catching second to Pastiche in her last outing. With Pastiche
recording an encore, the chances of Passion to Perform only got further
enhanced. Blink who had the benefit of a mock race, shared favouritism
with Passion to Perform while Vanquish and Lord of Illusion were also
quietly fancied. Lord of Illusion had the first run on Passion To
Perform and Blink but he failed to sustain, allowing the favourite to
surge ahead. Passion To Perform quickly established a big lead and then
held on as Lord of Illusion came up with a second wind while Blink was
struggling in the third position. Vanquish ran on to finish fourth.
Elusive Melody, who is half-brother to the celebrated Bonzer, dropped
the jockey en route to the starting gates but was caught up with and was
allowed to run in the race but he made no show. Arabian Knight who is
touted as a good type of youngster should be better off for this run.
Attain who sported big bandages had won his last outing and there was no
appreciable change in her disposition this time out too. Despite
changing legs and drifting to the outer grass and then ducking in
towards the rails, Attain proved too good for the field, to win from
Artic Blast and Dom Perignon. There was inspired support for Dom
Perignon but the four-year old, despite having all the chances, lacked
substance.
Newly licensed trainer Sulaiman Attaollahi led in the first winner of
his career. Cimarron who was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, made
the best of the five kilo allowance claimed by her jockey S.John.
The apprentice made no mistake and the result was a smashing win for the
daughter of Brave Act over Fanna and Excellent Speed.
In the day’s other action, Samar Singh trained Nalwa was backed to the
exclusion of his rivals but it was Alleyesonme who managed to edge out
the favourite inside the distance post.
