Daniel’s Classic duo pass primary tests
By Aalibaba (indiathoroughbreds@hotmail.com)

Kolkata
Nov 16, 2006

In spite of the defeat of his hot-favourite, Best Of The Blues, in the 1200m R.W.I.T.C. Cup, trainer Daniel David was a satisfied man, last Wednesday. The victory of his two classic contenders,  Right Again and Moon Forest, must have given the trainer ample hope for the future ahead especially as Right Ahead's manner of winning the 2000m Adelina Handicap, was quite impressive. 

In fact, the three-year-old simply toyed with his four rivals, though the official verdict of two and half-a-length may not suggest so. Chisty had the Steinbeck-Artwork son settled in a handy fourth during the first 600m of the race but quickened to improve as El Cid broke away from the field. In the final 600m, Right Again built up a three-length lead and looked to be drawing away from the field when Chisty felt he could afford to apply brakes. Moon Forest, on the other hand, looked rusty after taking the charge of running at the top of the straight in the 1600m Bol Publication Cup. But a reminder on the Razeen-Regal Grace son was enough to complete the job. 

Had jockey C Alford not eased up Serrafina in the final 150m of the RWITC Cup, the verdict would have been far wider than a length which separated the Vijay Singh-trained mare from Chill Pill who came with a strong finishing effort to relegate the favourite, Best Of The Blues, to the third slot by a ‘nose.’ Star Magic was a good fourth, further length behind. But what was important about his run is his return to form. The eight-year-old never liked the monsoon track and he needs to be watched from now on.

Many expected Javed Khan’s filly Chitralekha to offer a strong challenge to Aromatique, the 7-10 favourite in the 1,400m Little Lady Handicap. However, there was no such showdown between the two as the topweighted filly had to be withdrawn for her antics at the start. The stage was, therefore, left clear for the Vijay Singh-trainee to hit the front from the start, and also to win the way he liked.

Trainer John Stephens was also in the limelight with a well-planned double. Although his both runners, Legal Lady and Boogie Nights in the 1,200m Gabarnac Handicap, received good support, Legal Lady was better fancied. In the race, Boogie Nights was all along in touch with the leader, Awesum Attitude, while Legal Lady was ridden off the pace, her normal style of running. In the end  Boogie Nights’ forward running tactics were enough to deny Legal Lady's late charge at the post.

Stephens’ other winner, Secret Desire, had been knocking at the door and it was therefore hardly a surprise when the seven-year-old mare had the measure of Daniel David’s favourite, Prince Crimson, in the 1100m Pentire Handicap.