Ataraxy completes a hat trick
By Sharan Kumar

Five-year old Ataraxy who overcame a series of problems and made his debut when he was about to turn five, has reeled off three wins in a row and may well have reached his mark. The win in the 2000 metres Nilgiris Cup that was the highlight of a lackluster card of six events that were gone through on Friday, was achieved with a degree of difficulty. Front-running Aerographer very nearly stole the race with a start to finish dash but Ataraxy managed to pick up momentum in time and get the nod in the shadow of the post.

Ataraxy’s win was considered a certainty considering the ease with which the son of Elusive Pimpernel had reeled off two wins in a row. However, the penalty incurred for two wins ensured that he was just about good enough for the day.

Ataraxy (R Marshall up), winner of the Nilgiris Cup being led in by trainer D Byramji.

Aerographer who had finished an eye-catching second behind Bold Bird in his last run despite drifting out of a straight course and running on the edge of the grass track, was backed with conviction by a considerable section. At one stage, their expectations very nearly came through as Ataraxy had to cover a lot of leeway on Aerographer but the favourite got stronger close home and caught up with the front runner in the nick of time.

Arjun Mangalorkar broke the ice, saddling Alannah to victory in the January Plate, a race meant for first season runners. Alannah flashed home rather late last time out and missed out on a possible win but this time out, the daughter of first season stallion Pennine Ridge was always handily placed and assumed charge on turning for home and won with a measure of comfort from Daddy’s Darling and Luffness. Star Clarity, one of the fancied runners, was sluggish at the start and jockey Prakash used up the horse to cover the leeway and although at one part he looked like troubling the eventual winner, he faded out in the final 100 metres.

Rebelwithacause who discarded his blinkers last time to good effect by beating Royal Heights, recorded an encore. Taking on a more modest opposition than what he encountered in his last run, Rebelwithacause was kept a handy second as Black Ocean set a scorching pace. Visiting Frenchman David Badel pushed Rebelwithacuase to the front inside the final 250 metres and the son of Sizzling Melody easily staved off the challenge of Autobahn and Misty Charms.

Nesara got the green signal to put his best foot forward and the five-year old gelding finally recorded a maiden win in the hands of jockey Nagesh. There was inspired support for Diamond Harbour but the six-year old mare made no show.

Annodomini who had the measure of Zidane earlier in the season before being disqualified for breach of medication rules, was totally ignored in the betting ring in the Swarnamukhi Plate (Div), with betting being centred around Rizer and Golden Estate. Annodomini picked up momentum inside the final furlong and won with a great deal of comfort from Kingston Heath and Golden Estate. Favourite Rizer ran below expectations. Another favourite, sporting the same colours as Rizer namely Trivia was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the lower division of the race but the favourite yet again played truant. Whitehall finally obliged, winning at nourishing odds, at the expense of Moonlight Rays and Barasssie in a close finish.

Alannah (P Eddery up), winning the January Plate.

Rebelwithacause (David Badel up), winner of the Brig. M. S. Dhillon Memorial Plate being led in by trainer R R Byramji.