Daniels treble failed bring cheers
By Aalibaba

Kolkata
Wednesday, 13th August, 2003

As usual trainer Daniel Davids favourites behaved like odds-sensitive and let down hoard of following on Wednesday. The only one from the stable who defied the ruling was Smart Charmer in the feature event of the afternoon, the Independence Cup. Daniel, however, had his usual quota of winners on the day – three on this occasion -- and it is needless to say that the other wards from his stable who entered the winners enclosure had not found many takers in the betting ring. 

Terrificco, for instance, attracted support only from the headstrong lot who simply go by their study of handicaps. It was stable-mate Predecessor who went to the start as an even-money rage, and Amyn Merchant has nobody to blame but himself for submitting the advantage to the winner, a Twist And Turn-Mahjong five-year-old. 

Merchant had positioned the favourite behind Terrificco, right in a striking position, but for no rhyme and reason he took the top-weight eight-wide at the home turn. Coming on with a renewed vigor past the distance post, and particularly in the final 100-metres, Merchant and Predecessor were within a neck of the leader but failed to go past the stable-mate who was a steady 6-1 in the ring. The rest of the field was, however, outclassed. 

El Cid, the one who looked like engaged to do the donkeywork, was in fact the real hope of the Daniel-stable in the Prince Blossom Cup. It is because, 12-10 favourite, Another Time appeared to be galloping leisurely in-third all through the 1,800-metre trip. Therefore, it hardly came as a surprise when Hello Brother, who was always in a hot chase of the leader battled it out resolutely, practically in the major part of the stretch run, and had somewhat a comfortable measure of El Cid once the Bangalore migrant put his neck in front. The Farley Rodrigues-trainee ultimately won by three-parts of a length to the delight of his sporting owners. 

Pearl Dragon went to the start as a 6-4 favourite, and Merchant was expected to be all charged up to do something worthwhile after Daniel had some altercation with the teasing crowd in the stands and nearly created a riotous situation before the matter was brought under control by some senior officials. Nevertheless, Pearl Dragon and Merchant found the going to hot in the race as speedy Moira unsettled the rhythm of all, and thus setting the stage for another friendless Regal Rocket from T.Jaiswal's yard to come with an finishing effort to retire an easy winner. Alsheim, also in the betting at 4's, was another one seen covering good ground from the rear but only to occupy the non-remunerating berth. Pearl Dragon was sixth, but finished close enough to Alsheim. 

B. Gurang on Terrificco, the winner of the Great Scot Handicap

Surjeet Singh on Hello Brother, the winner of the Prince Blossom Cup

Merchant on Smart Charmer, the winner of the Independence Cup


S. Rabani on Blue Chip, the winner of the Selector Handicap

Smart Charmer's victory must have had a cooling effect as the 8-10 hot-favourite delivered the goods, though at one stage of the race it looked like the stable-mate Star Selection in a threatening position up with the leader My Opinion. Nevertheless, by then Merchant, too, had improved from the fifth slot to come abreast of the front-running lot. The Placerville-Million Girl four-year-old assumed charge of running nearing the distance-post and went about his task of winning from a late finishing Richie Rich. 

Daniel-Merchant failed again in the concluding event, a baby race, when Bit Of Luck could not be sighted in a big field of 14 runners while the stable-mate Direct Access overcame his 13 draw and was right behind a strongly fancied leader Rohini. The two, in fact, fought a close battle in the final 300 metres but the leader gave up 50 metres from home. Mayan Hiss was a promising third. 

Earlier in curtain raiser, Blue Chip scored a back to back victory and the Bharath Singh-trainee was more facile a winner this time, though Surjeet must be feeling guilty for bringing the 6-4 favourite Capistrano eight-wide at the final turn. However, the winner looked a picture in the paddock and she may notch up yet another win if the Metal Precieux-In The Blue daughter manages to retain her condition.