Arturo strikes it rich
By Sharan Kumar

Bangalore
Mar 25, 2007

Arturo struck it rich against jaded opposition in the 2000 metres Garden City Cup, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday’s races.There were just five runners in the fray and among them, Arturo looked better than the rest in the paddock parade. Predominant who had won twice and placed in an equal number of races earlier in the season, appeared to have lost his condition and thus everything pointed to the success of Arturo. Full Speed had the scales in his favour but no racing form while Spark of Glory had been earning his corn bill while Assessed hadn’t shown any flourish for more than one year.

Arturo led the field from the word `go’ with Spark of Glory in close attendance followed by Predominant, Full Speed and Assessed. Full Speed who lost some ground at the start had to be brushed up to stay in touch with the front-runners. Rounding the final bend, it was evident that Arturo was easily traveling the best of the lot, with the others making no significant progress. Arturo kicked away from the rest in the final furlong while Spark of Glory ran to be second ahead of Predominant.

Angelique who had run behind Southern Charge, was backed to the exclusion of her rivals in the 1400 metres Magadi Plate (Div I).Super Power had his own share of supporters but the overwhelming support lay with the Dhariwal ward . Jockey Appu took Angelique on a start to finish mission, with Super Power close in attendance. On turning for home, Angelique quickened and opened up a comfortable lead even as Super Power fell behind. It was left to Mother’s Pride to essay her challenge and the daughter of Pennine Ridge came up with a powerful run to cover up the leeway and put her neck ahead virtually in the dying moments of the race.

Echoes of Light was the cramped odds-on favourite to win the lower division but the Darius Byramji trainee, was not inclined to put his best foot forward and was never in serious business at any stage of the race. Golden Edition who was taken on a start to finish mission, successfully managed to stay there and retired home a comfortable winner ahead of Red Mullet. Golden Edition is a good type of youngster.

Alejandros had won over a sprint in his last essay despite the trip being too sharp for comfort considering his breeding. This late blooming son of Tejano obviously had a chance to repeat over a slightly longer trip as five-kg allowance jockey Selvaraj continued to partner him. After tracking Mid-Summer Star till the home turn, Alejandros bouncedinto the lead and then went away for a comfortable win. Whisper City found foot when the cause had been lost.

Royal Assault had run a suggestive fourth despite a rough passage and on the basis of that run; the daughter of Royal Kingdom found all-round support so much so that she ended up as a firm favourite. War Head was next in demand though he was available tolucrative odds of six to one. Jockey Rajesh Babu took War Head on a start to finish mission and the son ofGlory of Dancer just about lasted out to win from a late-finishing Sandokan. Solar Crystal ran on to finish third while Royal Assault who struggled to keep pace was a dismal fourth.

Himanshu is one of the talented apprentices on view and he guided Samar Singh trained Olympic Wonder to a smashing win. After tracking Advocate General till the final turn, Olympic Wonder cruised past the front runner to win as he pleased. Jaya Masi was third. Mafioso recorded a win by a nose over the unlucky Scan for whom even the change of name too did not bring the desired look.

In the day’s other action, apprentice S John guided Alvinia to a comfortable victory. Despite being sluggish in the early part, Alvinia came up with a strong run to get the measure of the front-running Vesuvio. Two jockeys had bad falls during the race. While Indian Ocean took an awkward jump and imbalanced Mahendran, apprentice Sreekanth’s right stirrup leather got unfastened and he could not take the left leg out as he hung on for about 100 metres before falling off. Both these jockeys reportedly escaped with minor bruises.