Badge of Gold had created such a good impression that the punters did
not look beyond the three-year old despite the presence of some seasoned
campaigners and he went into the race at a very short price. Badge of
Gold hit the front from the word `go’ though he was relieved of this
burden midway through the race when stablemate Reuben Star surged ahead.
Badge of Gold was only waiting to be given his head and once he was
asked to quicken on turning for home, the Razeen
progeny went away to win in impressive fashion. Expectedly, Talk of the
Devil finished faraway second ahead of Cedros while the rest could not
make any impression.
Our Little Savage recorded a facile win in the 1400 metres Lady
Gibraltar Plate (Div I). Elusive Study, who was the favourite, went too
fast in the front and surrendered the lead when challenged by Our Little
Savage in the final two furlongs. Our Little Savage left the field
stranded as jockey Gnaneshwar had the luxury of dropping his hands
inside the final 100 metres. Jockey Prakash on Sweeping Success tried
hard but the horse was hanging in and did not quicken but managed to
push Elusive Study to the third position. May be Elusive Study would
have given a better account of himself had he been ridden in restraint.
While trainer Pesi Shroff was not successful through Elusive Study, he
led in a winner through bottom-weighted Livorino who exploited the pull
in weights to get the better of Hotstepper close home. The way
Hotstepper moved into the lead on turning for home, it looked as though
the favourite would come home without bother. Perhaps, the fact that he
hit the front a trifle too soon might have told on the top-weight as
Livorino got past a tiring favourite in the shadow of the post. Living
Luxury did not run to potential.
Million Words went into the Lady Gibraltor Plate at very cramped odds
but she did not justify the support, fading out when the race was on the
boil. Conde Nast came from way behind to win while Ruby Rocket, who was
held up longer than necessary, finished strongly gaining the runner up
berth. The Stewards, who ordered an enquiry into the riding of
apprentice jockey Aswin Rao, withdrew his license till the end of March
31, 2008. One should wait and see whether the Stewards would act with
such earnestness on other errant professionals.
Excellent Speed won the race meant for maiden three-year olds, quite
easily, with Clap And Run finishing second. Jockey Appu had two wins to
his credit. Mercurial proved too good for the field as the daughter of
Concordial won as she pleased from Alyciaa and Precious Angel.
Trafalgar Square, who was taking on a backward set of horses, had it
easy against Zaois and the rest.
