Bangalore
Saturday, March 02  2001


Strengthtostrength lives up to his name

By Sharan Kumar

Rehanullah Khan trained Strengthtostrength had raced in the shadow of Palazzio when the two met at Mumbai in the Gr 2 S C Jain Sprinters Cup. As such, the former had a realistic chance of putting across his adversary if things went his way in the Gr 1 Sprinters Cup, notwithstanding the fact that he was long in the tooth at seven. And it came as no surprise when Strengthtostrength, relishing the Bangalore track which has a good cushion thanks to the thick growth of grass and the generous use of the tan, picked up momentum to catch the favourite virtually in the last stride to record a thrilling win.

Palazzio who reportedly did not travel well, nevertheless put up a game performance. The fact that she was racing at about 3000 metres above sea level after racing all her career at sea level together with the fact that she had to climb about 38 feet from the 700 metres marker to the winning post put a premium on greater endurance and on this score, she faltered albeit in the last stride. Strengthtostrength who relishes a longer trip, enjoyed the fast pace, warmed up well and finished with his patented burst to land the richest plum for his trainer Rehanullah Khan who has had remarkable success with his modest string of horses.

The Sprinters Cup has always been known to be a graveyard for favourites although in the last edition at this center, favourite Polar Falcon had halted that trend. Stregnthtostrength's win was in keeping with the trend of shock results being par for this race. Trainer Rehanullah Khan always thought highly of his ward who has been a splendid performer although he was at a loss to explain how his ward had fared miserably in the last year's Sprinters Cup at Chennai. But in the more congenial Bangalore track, Strengthtostrength found his bearings and it was a fitting reward for the trainer who is known to get good results from his modestly bred horses. By winning one of the most prestigious races in the country, Rehanullah Khan has proved that he is second to none when presented with an opportunity.

Mr.Chiranjiv I.A.S., Principal Secaretary to Govt., Finance Department & Steward of the B.T.C. , Presenting the Sprinters Cup to trainer Rehanullah Khan.


Mr. H.T.Sangliana I.P.S. & Steward of the B.T.C. presenting the Stayers' Cup (Grade I). to trainer R.R.Byramji.

** Sprinters' Cup Photo Feature **

** Stayers' Cup Photo Feature **

Click here to view Photo Feature

Be that as it may, on known form, Palazzio towered over the rest. None of the Bangalore challengers inspired confidence as the ones who had the credentials did not have the form while the other like Vivid Dreams were over-achievers. Had Soviet Song not been wasted at a center like Kolkata and trained in Bangalore and campaigned in the local plums, it is quite possible that she could well have turned the tide in her favour. But then, Bangalore trainers are known to ignore the local plums and rush elsewhere more often to disastrous results.

Ally McBeal set a fast pace, with Palazzio settled a handy second, with the rest of the runners a few lengths adrift. Jockey McCullah alerted Palazzio to the task on turning for home and the five-year old race mare picked up speed to take charge inside the final 300 metres and opened up a break of over two lengths. At this stage, jockey Chris Lemaire was hard at work on Strengthtostrength on the wide outside while Shroff was maneuvering his way through a difficult passage along the rails. Symphony of Fire showed up briefly but faded out as quickly as she came into contention. Alylady came up with a significant run but lacked the jockey to drive her out to advantage. In the meanwhile, Palazzio seemed to be slowing down and Strengthtostrength managed to pass the front-runner virtually in the last stride to post one of the most thrilling wins recorded in this event in recent years. Soviet Song finished with a rattle to take the third spot ahead of Alylady. It could well have been a four horse blanket finish had Soviet Song got a more free passage and Alylady received better saddle assistance. The rest of the runners were outclassed. It was a brilliant effort on the part of the up and coming jockey Chris Lemaire that tilted the race in favour of the Rehanullah Khan ward. Lemaire has surely improved by leaps and bounds thanks to his stint in India.

The Gr 1 Stayers' Cup went the predictable way, with favourite Appeaser winning at the expense of Alchemy and last year's winner Alameda. The victory enabled jockey Aslam Kader to enable a hat trick of wins in this event. He had won on Allied Forces and Alameda in the last two editions of this event.

Elusive Emperor showed the way as the starter dispatched the field for the grueling 3000 metres trip, with Alameda racing in close attendance while Alchemy and Appeaser were settled in the rear. Jockey Christopher Alford pushed Alameda to the front at around the 700 metres marker and the son of Steinbeck went storming clear. But Alameda failed to sustain as Alchemy overhauled the front-runner with ease. However, Alchemy only flattered to deceive as Appeaser came up with his well known burst of speed to get past the front-runner with something to spare, to win pulling up. There was no doubt about Appeaser's overwhelming superiority over this staying trip as also the fact that he has always been a rousing performer on this Bangalore track.

Fast Trick who had finished an impressive third to Superior Force in her last outing, was backed to the exclusion of her rivals in the 1200 metres International Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy, a terms race for three-year olds. In a three-horse finish, Slanka, who showed good improvement over his previous performance, put it across Southern Goddess and Fast Trick. Southern Goddess too put up an impressive show and a maiden win for this daughter of Brave Hunter is on cards.

Chris Lemaire was in his elements, booting home four winners. Apart from Strengthtostrength, his other winners came through Claudius, Slanka and Go Honey Go. The last named owed her victory to the perseverance of Lemaire. Fantasy Bay, with better handling could have made a difference to the outcome.

Trainer S Ganapathy led in a brace of winners through hitherto unexploited Enterprisor and Regal Society both whom won their respective assignments without much fuss.