Star Perfection’s greater experience paid off
By Aalibaba (indiathoroughbreds@hotmail.com)

Kolkata
Nov 26, 2006

Trainer Daniel David’s Star Perfection had the measure of Amorina in the Grade 3 Calcutta 1000 Guineas yesterday. Expectations were high from Amorina who had made a mockery of the Derby Trial field recently during the monsoon season. The Vijay Singh-trainee had been winning her races literally on the bridle, though beating nothing of consequence. 

Star Perfection, on the other hand, had been climbing up the ladder, steadily but surely, matching strides against some of the top ranking youngsters of her age in the western and the southern circuits. In the end this experience proved decisive.  

Amorina went about her task in a customary manner and with a three-length lead from the start while Star Perfection, with Irishman Colm O'Donoghue, fresh from his classic success in Bangalore, in the saddle, was held back in third till about the halfway stage of the race. Star Perfection moved up behind Amorina just before the turn and then matched her stride for stride down the straight before gaining a clear advantage in the final 150m.  

Amorina badly needed the experience against a seasoned campaigner. It may not, therefore, come as a surprise if she avenges her defeat in her next encounter with Star Perfection. Silver Print was an impressive third, covering much ground in the straight. 

Alford and O’Donoghue continued their battle right through the day. In the 1,400m Mayfowl Cup, Alford was at an advantage astride Aperitivo against the O’Donoghue ridden Rasalas. Although the slated trip was considered sharp for Aperitivo his superior class came through in an easy victory. 

In the concluding event, the 1,200m Aphroze Cup, weight advantage that helped the Alford ridden  Bright Blossom get an easy measure of Daniel’s five-year-old trainee, Diffidence. Diffidence’s lead in the straight was short lived as Bright Blossom settled the issue with a furlong to run. 

The Elusive Pimpernel colt, Monticello, provided Alford with the first leg of his treble by winning the Angeles Plate for juveniles. The Robin Corner trainee  got up close home after a protracted duel with the  favourite Canterbury Rocks. 

Chisty over confidence cost him dearly in the 1400m Clamp Handicap. Riding Modee Roch, Chisty led from the start but eased up when three lengths clear of the field in the straight. With rivals inching up to the leader, Chisty tried to re-alert the Flitch colt in the final 150m but Heer came with a threatening run to do the damage to the cause of the top-weighted horse.