Aperitivo wins unchallenged
By Aalibaba (indiathoroughbreds@hotmail.com)

Kolkata
Jan 23, 2007

Trainer Vijay Singh’s Aperitivo won the 2,000m Indian Champion Cup (Gr.2), last Tuesday totally unchallenged as his main rival, Moon Forest, broke down before the race took a serious turn. Moon Forest was taking on Aperitivo following his facile Derby-victory, earlier this month. The pace set by Petromius Maximus was a gentle one notwithstanding the breakaway lead taken by the Robin Corner-trained horse. 

However, all four horses in the field closed up as they entered the final stretch. Aperitivo kicked away to the winning post 300m from home for a comfortable two-length-plus victory as the expected challenge from Moon Forest never materialised with the Derby winner showing no sparkle at all. It late transpired that the Razeen-Regal Grace son who struggled to finish the course had broken down. Vijay saddled three more winners on the day. The 1,400m Champagne Stakes was an easy pick for his Regal Connection.

The Mr Mellon-Countess Of Poland son also had a point to prove after his objection against Steal The Glory was turned down in the Indian Produce Stakes on New Year’s Day. On this occasion, he took a four-length lead from the start and held on to it till the end without being challenged. The better fancied stable runner, Romantic Knight, was ridden in a check till the top of the final straight but he was no match for the winner. Earlier in the afternoon, Vijay’s Wild Mystery, had posted a back-to-back victory with a start to finish effort, though the Fitch-Mystery Melody daughter had to face a strong challenge from a strongly fancied Priceless Hero. Flemenco Star, also from Vijay’s stable, was given a waiting race and the San Francisco-Flamenco son responded positively with easy win in the 1,600m Silver Cup. The race was hotly contested for the minor placings but Aag’s superior finishing prowess helped the Javed Khan-trainee occupy the second slot from a friendless Proud Native who can be counted upon to strike soon.

Trainer Harvinder Singh Bath’s Karan’s Choice had been knocking at the door and his facile victory, in the 1,100m Army Cup, hardly came as a surprise. Apprentice Afzal Khan rode a well-judged race and also maintained his cool on the Sizzling Melody mare, in the final 200m, despite a strong challenge from Corner’s Supreme Power. Mythical Star, another one who had been showing spirited performance in the past, made every post of the 1,400m Gen A.S.Vaidya Memorial Cup a winning one. However, it was the second placed Universal Prince who caught the eye with his strong finishing run in the final straight. Corner was finally able to lead in the winner in the concluding race, the M. B.Medhora Trophy after Firing Power fired all cylinders to contain a late finishing Bold Queen by half-a-length.