Slavic springs a surprise
By Sharan Kumar

Bangalore
Mar 18, 2007

Jet Fire let down a legion of supporters as he went down rather tamely when faced with the late flourish of Slavic in the 1600 metres Stewards Cup, a race for horses rated 80 and above, which featured the races held on Saturday. The manner in which Jet Fire cruised past the front-running Cedros in the homestretch,made it look as though the public fancy would romp home but the odds-on favourite slackened in the final furlong even as Slavic came up with his customary late charge to clinch the issue in the shadow of the winning post.

Slavic has been a game performer but the son of Binkhaldoun has this habit of switching himself off till the race comes to a boil. Quite often, his belated surge has cost him a race but it is in this fashion that he has earned all his triumphs. Cedros hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the mile long trip with Jet Fire in close attendance while Slavic toiled at the rear of the field. Rounding the final bend, Jet Fire went past the front-runner with ease which suggested that the race was all over bar the shouting but Slavic who was steadily gaining places from the rear, had reserves of energy as he unleashed a powerful run which caught the favourite napping. Spark of Glory showed that he has still some zest left in him by finishing third ahead of the consistent Talk of the Devil.

The majority of the day's races saw cramped favourites jsutifying their odds. Two of the favourites which belonged to trainer Padmanabhan's yard won without much fuss. Lady One who was plagued by one problem or the other came right just about the time when the trainer was thinking of retiring the four-year old filly. Lady One had recorded a smashing win last time out and the timing recorded was suggestive of the fact that the daughter of Placerville out of Lady Moura was made of sterner stuff and belonged to the highest class. Now taking on a seasoned runners, Lady One toyed with the opposition to win as she pleased. Now that Lady One has stayed sound, she deserves a following till she is sorted out. Beckham and Satin Wood were no match for the favourite.

Perfect Tribute won the Mudabidri Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year olds in tremendous fashion. The temperamental filly, Perfect Tribute is gifted with a tremendous turn of foot and she should go places as she rogresses. The lower division of the race went the way of Star Team who despite the trip being sharp for his liking slammed the opposition in good fashion. Star Team should make his mark over longer trips.

Niccoletto had lost in controversial circumstances which had resulted in jockey Silva Storai being slapped a suspension of 14 months. The suspension was later reduced to six race days by the Appeal Board. Niccoletto, who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals, had an ominous start as apprentice jockey Selvaraj barely managed to stay in the saddle following interference at the start. Despite being poorly positioned and having to cover ground on the front-runners, the favourite who came through the shortest way home, gained places quickly and despite veering out, won by a widening margin of five lengths from Havana and the rest. There is very little to be gained by going into the question of Appeal Board letting off Silva lightly in the light of the decisive win of Niccoletto who won despite a poor quality ride.

Silva has won two Derbys despite her obvious incompetence but if that is the line of argument taken every time she messes up, it would do everyone good if she restricts her activity to preparing the horses and leave the job of riding them in races to reasonably good jockeys. So much of needless controversy can then be avoided.

Jockey Krishnan's lack of finishing effort cost Young Indian a possible victory over Royal Filly in the 2000 metres race for horses in the lowest class, the jockey did well to guide the well backed Star of Excellence to victory over stablemate Royal Dazzler who put up a stiff resistance. Apprentice jockey John could not hold Charing Cross who bolted to the starting gates but this helped to warm up the son of Glory of Dancer sufficiently for him to cause an upset. Last outing winner Korporate burst into the lead on turning for home but he had no answer when Charing Cross came charging home. The son of Glory of Dancer won with something to spare to provide John his maiden success as a jockey. Favourite Southerner was in no mood to oblige and performed miserably.

Three strongly fancied runners of trainer Irfan Ghatala let down during the day's races. Apart from Southerner and Jet Fire, the other horse to let down public expectation was Shantala where Gara Fluid held on to the advantage gained in the early part of the race. The victory of Gara Fluid also helped apprentice jockey Shoaib to record his maiden win. Wile Wench came up with a late effort which went in vain.