www.indiarace.com - Bangalore Winter Season 2002-03 Live Photographs

Bench Mark gets an extra win on extra day
by DIABLO
diablo@indiarace.com

Hyderabad
December 30, 2003

What was thought to be an open-and-shut case for Shakira in the main event of the extra day races at Malakpet on Tuesday (30.12.2003), The Star Of Gwalior Trophy turned out to be an easy meat for Bench Mark.

The Dark Nile – Azureen filly spared three-and-half lengths comfortably to odds on favourite Shakira. It was one of the rare occasions when a hot favourite from Leo D’Silva’s yard, that too owned by Mr S Rangarajan, went down tamely. But frankly, at no stage did Shakira appear keen to win the race.

One of the indications that the race was given away on a platter to Bench Mark was the slow timing recorded by the winner. The 1:46.02 seconds was slower than that of Profile (1:45.96), winner of a Category III handicap race on the day. This rendered the race into a virtual crawl in the straight.

It can be argued that Bench Mark’s trainer KRK Raju plotted the coup quite deftly because he knew the potential of Shakira since she was with him till she was bought by her present owner. But one would like to know why even Legacy Of Pride was indifferent after accepting to run in this terms race. Such incidents take away whatever little interest that is left in
events which as it is get reduced to four or five-horse affairs.

In this background the race for first seasoners served an exciting fare, with favourite Artistic Gold from Prasad Raju’s yard clinching a head verdict over Royal Award. Although the margin of victory was kept narrow by design to conceal the winner’s real ability, the discerning were quick to note the Young Senor – On The Cruise colt’s potential.

Ridden in check for best part of the 1100 metres scurry, B Shinde got just so much out of his mount that was required for him to overcome Royal Award. A no mean horse, Royal Award himself was on a mission to prove his credentials after he was not allowed to run on his merits by his jockey in the previous race. And to beat him with such impunity, Artistic Gold must be a real good type. Of course, he had given a glimpse of his versatile talent while finishing a close fifth to Luxury Cruise in his last start, but this particular run revealed more than what his trainer had planned to conceal.

Royal Award and Damanaka did record some improvement, but the one who impressed most was Donald Netto’s Mombasa. The son of Inner City showed his ability to tackle middle distances in the very first run of his career, by finishing third with a late run. He should reach the winners’ circle after another competitive run.

Bottom weights Capital Talk and Lady At Peace made the most of relatively out of form fields to pick up the two divisions of The Serious Spender Plate, a 1400 metres race for five and six-year-olds in Category II.

Of course, Capital Talk has to thank Ceefaxcelt for giving up the race from a winning position on the rails, but Lady At Peace produced a fine stretch run to beat her challengers all ends up. Events earmarked for older animals are leaving the railbirds a confused lot as form horses have often come a cropper.

Green Passion let down her follwers miserably when she went down to Mars Angel in The Broto Plate 1200 metres (Category III). While the winner and Bulbasaur showed enough zest to be in the fighting line till the end, Green Passion could not be spotted until she finished sixth. This run, however, should do her a world of good and she can be backed now over seven
furlongs.

French jockey Samuel Fargeat pulled off a superb gamble on Rafaat Hussain’s Profile in the day’s last event, The Romancing Plate 1600 metres. Money came pouring in and the four-year-old was lodged the favourite just before the start. True to one’s doubts, the five others in the field, except Oriza, did not even offer any resistance as Profile took over in the final furlong and sailed to a smooth win.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Maidens: Mombasa, Royal Award.
Category II: Cadre, Perfect Fighter.
Category III: Bulbasaur, First Crush.

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	Bench Mark gets an extra win on extra day by DIABLO diablo@indiarace.com Hyderabad December 30, 2003
	What was thought to be an open-and-shut case for Shakira in the main event of the extra day races at Malakpet on Tuesday (30.12.2003), The Star Of Gwalior Trophy turned out to be an easy meat for Bench Mark. The Dark Nile – Azureen filly spared three-and-half lengths comfortably to odds on favourite Shakira. It was one of the rare occasions when a hot favourite from Leo D’Silva’s yard, that too owned by Mr S Rangarajan, went down tamely. But frankly, at no stage did Shakira appear keen to win the race.
One of the indications that the race was given away on a platter to Bench Mark was the slow timing recorded by the winner. The 1:46.02 seconds was slower than that of Profile (1:45.96), winner of a Category III handicap race on the day. This rendered the race into a virtual crawl in the straight. It can be argued that Bench Mark’s trainer KRK Raju plotted the coup quite deftly because he knew the potential of Shakira since she was with him till she was bought by her present owner. But one would like to know why even Legacy Of Pride was indifferent after accepting to run in this terms race. Such incidents take away whatever little interest that is left in events which as it is get reduced to four or five-horse affairs. In this background the race for first seasoners served an exciting fare, with favourite Artistic Gold from Prasad Raju’s yard clinching a head verdict over Royal Award. Although the margin of victory was kept narrow by design to conceal the winner’s real ability, the discerning were quick to note the Young Senor – On The Cruise colt’s potential. Ridden in check for best part of the 1100 metres scurry, B Shinde got just so much out of his mount that was required for him to overcome Royal Award. A no mean horse, Royal Award himself was on a mission to prove his credentials after he was not allowed to run on his merits by his jockey in the previous race. And to beat him with such impunity, Artistic Gold must be a real good type. Of course, he had given a glimpse of his versatile talent while finishing a close fifth to Luxury Cruise in his last start, but this particular run revealed more than what his trainer had planned to conceal. Royal Award and Damanaka did record some improvement, but the one who impressed most was Donald Netto’s Mombasa. The son of Inner City showed his ability to tackle middle distances in the very first run of his career, by finishing third with a late run. He should reach the winners’ circle after another competitive run. Bottom weights Capital Talk and Lady At Peace made the most of relatively out of form fields to pick up the two divisions of The Serious Spender Plate, a 1400 metres race for five and six-year-olds in Category II. Of course, Capital Talk has to thank Ceefaxcelt for giving up the race from a winning position on the rails, but Lady At Peace produced a fine stretch run to beat her challengers all ends up. Events earmarked for older animals are leaving the railbirds a confused lot as form horses have often come a cropper. Green Passion let down her follwers miserably when she went down to Mars Angel in The Broto Plate 1200 metres (Category III). While the winner and Bulbasaur showed enough zest to be in the fighting line till the end, Green Passion could not be spotted until she finished sixth. This run, however, should do her a world of good and she can be backed now over seven furlongs. French jockey Samuel Fargeat pulled off a superb gamble on Rafaat Hussain’s Profile in the day’s last event, The Romancing Plate 1600 metres. Money came pouring in and the four-year-old was lodged the favourite just before the start. True to one’s doubts, the five others in the field, except Oriza, did not even offer any resistance as Profile took over in the final furlong and sailed to a smooth win. HORSES TO FOLLOW: Maidens: Mombasa, Royal Award. Category II: Cadre, Perfect Fighter. Category III: Bulbasaur, First Crush.