The four-year old filly Haunting Memories has been a veritable money
spinner. Though she blotted her copybook by losing
the Indian 1000 Guineas and fared dismally when asked to tackle the mile
and half trip of the Golconda Oaks, which was much too far her, she quickly
made a switch to six furlongs and won despite the difficult ask and then
went on to win the Gr 1 Sprinters Cup. Now taking on seasoned
opposition which included Coral Gables, who at one time enjoyed the
highest rating in the country, and other classic placed four-year olds
who had the pull in weights, Haunting Memories made light of the
opposition as Prakash set out on a successful start to finish mission.
Jet Fire and the second favourite Running Bull raced in close attendance but they were unable to bridge the gap even as the favourite cruised
past the winning post. Coral Gables ran on from behind to finish fourth.
Running Bull, who was running after a five month break, ran well enough
to suggest that he may get his turn over a mile trip later in the
season.
Angelique who had won found one better on two occasions in winter, was
surprisingly run in a handicap race where she was conceding weight. She
would have been a cinch in a maiden’s race but was made to carry the
penalty of a winner in a handicap race. The fact that Angelique had run
behind such good type of horses like Southern Charge made most believe
that she was invincible as the odds against her suggested. This was also
because Mill Fontaine did not receive any support in the betting ring,
throwing the punters into confusion as to where the possible threat for
the favourite could come from. In the event, Angelique who fought for
her head in the early part of the race found herself outsprinted when
Mill Fontaine made smooth acceleration on the outside on turning for
home. Angelique was flat footed. Angelique, who had been a free runner
all along, possibly did not relish being restrained from past practice.
Tatler had a good outing when finishing third. Sapthashwa was a notable
fourth.
Jersey Power, who was showing out in the workouts, was backed to the
exclusion of his rivals in the absence of any other horse being touted
as a possible threat. But Jersey Power, who was sluggish at the start,
was never in the hunt and did not run to market expectations. Give Me The
Money who led the field from the start shaped like a winner but was
surprised by the finishing burst of Noble Prince who overcame the
ill-effects of his tantrums at the gate which almost would have resulted
in his being a non-starter. Jockey Asgar, who rode the winner,
celebrated the success as he was winning after a very long gap.
Perfect Rhythm was another favourite who failed to oblige. Jockey
Srinath lost the whip rounding the final bend but that did not seem to
make a difference as Sugar Blaze who was steered by five-kg claimer
Selvaraj won by a widening margin of over four lengths from Born Free
who found foot late to be a noteworthy second. Billy Blackjack, who lost
some ground at the start, swiftly circled round the field and led till
overhauled by the eventual winner.
Einstein had matched strides with some top-notchers like Red Eagle.
Einstein had let down last time as a fancied runner. Now appearing fresh
after the break, Einstein took charge of the field from the word `go’
and won the seven furlong race pulling up. Ashwaraaj finished a
creditable second while favourite My Turn who failed to match strides
with the first two finishers, plodded on to be a tame third.
In the day’s other action, favourite Master Strategist was let down by
jockey Sunny Chinoy who unwisely spurted the horse at the steepest part
of the gradient and this told on his energies as he slowed down in the
final furlong. Ziggy Stardust overhauled him with something to spare.
Barring Haunting Memories, it was a wild chase of the favourites by the
punters who were at the receiving end.
