Tribal Fantasy quickened on turning for home and the long shot from the
Puttanna stable, perhaps relishing the soft underfoot conditions, went
clear and won with a great deal of comfort from a late-finishing Éclair
Blanche who covered acres of grounds at the finish to be a noteworthy
second ahead of All Dancing. Three of Arts had all the chances and at
one time, raced in a line with Tribal Fantasy and Secret Command but did
not quicken enough in the final furlong but ended with a position on the
frame by finishing fourth.
Lord of Illusion continued to live up to his name of being only an
``illusion’’ as he continued to find one better. The son of Brave Act
who was the highest rated horse in the fray, had all the support in the
ring though Mountain Bear who had been prepared systematically, with the
benefit of a mock race and a race run, cornering support if only because
he belonged to the gold and brown brigade and had the pedigree to boot.
In the event, Lord of Illusion who had the first run on his opponent,
could not sustain his challenge and weakened in the shadow of the post
and Mountain Bear who got strong close home, won with a measure of
comfort. Mountain Bear should come on a lot after this run and make his
mark over longer trips. Almost all the predecessors of Mountain Bear
have been late bloomers and it remains to be seen how he shapes up in
the future.
Hyderabad’s Donald Netto brought off a quiet touch on Born Brave in the
1100 metres Fire Haven Plate where last time’s failed favourite
Remarkable Stride and Andronicus cornered all the attention in the ring.
Born Brave was backed only by those in the know though those who had
watched the mock races of this son of Brave Hunter had marked him as an
upset prospect. Born Brave showed plenty of speed to go the front from
the word `go’ and kept increasing the lead and went beyond the reach of
his pursuers. Andronicus chased without hope while Remarkable was a
tardy third.
The Kumararajah M A M Muthiah Cup had a very competitive look, with more
than two runners having a realistic chance of pulling it off. In The
Zone who had blazed the track, was expected to repeat as he had a good
drop in weights because of the five kg claimer S John in the saddle.
Logans Run received inspired support displacing In The Zone as the
favourite. The Contender, who also had credentials to move up in the
scale, appeared to be far from ready. Living Luxury was let loose in the
betting as she had no takers. Integra and Cimarron were withdrawn at the
gates as both were not in an obliging mood, causing immense problems to
the handlers. Perfect Rhythm raced up front even as In The Zone could
not maneuver into a favourable position while Logans Run traveled wide
throughout. In The Zone got a fortuitous opening along the rails and the
progeny of Greensmith shot through inside the final furlong and recorded
a comfortable win over a late-finishing Logans Run. Living Luxury, who
was given a light ride by jockey Pakash, was finishing the best at the
finish and she was an unextended third.
With a number of runners in the Royal Tern Plate (Div II), the
concluding race of the day, having had one problem or the other
preventing them from giving off their best, Sarazen cornered all the
support. Rain Man, who was running after a long lay off, came in for
inspired support while there were some taken for Rio Bravo who also had
his share of problems. In the event, Sarazxen and Rain Man disputed the
issue till the final furlong when Rio Bravo moved up with telling
strides on the wide outside to win in splendid fashion. The Tirol
progeny surely can repeat on the basis of this performance. The upper
division of the race went the way of long shot Snob Value who edged out
Ghostofachance to win impressively. Favourite Alonso put up a poor show.
Had jockey of Smart Empire ridden the progeny of Razeen in restraint,
the Hyderabad challenger could have pulled it off in the 2000 metres
Noble Princess Plate but the runaway tactics cost him dear as he slowed
down in the final stages of the race, allowing favourite Local Warrior
to surge ahead and win. Fancied Only Royale put up a poor show. In the
day’s other action which was contested by poor quality horses, Princess
Emily just about held on to win from favourite Cindy Girl who was found
wanting when it came to changing gears.
