Red Orchid’s victory also kicks up a debate as to who is better right now, he or Coral Gables. Until the Colts Trial Stakes early September, Red Orchid was brushed aside as just another three-year-old. His defeat at the hands of Coral Gables at Bangalore had a lot to do with it. A fancied runner, Red Orchid was collared by Leo D’Silva’s ward in the shadow of the post. That too under an apprentice jockey. Back home, many a discerning follower viewed trainer Deshmukh’s tactics to enter Red Orchid in a race where Coral Gables figured as a futile exercise. They seemed right after Red Orchid did nothing to alter the result
But jockey SN Chavan had his mission accomplished in the preparatory run for both. He sized up Coral Gables’ final burst when he took Red Orchid to the front and forced Suraj Narredu to exert pressure on Coral Gables. This feedback must have surely made Deshmukh to rejoice, for now he knew that he was the front-runner among the local contenders for the Colts Trial. What seemed to have made Deshmukh to eye the lucrative Colts purse itself was the overconfidence of outstation trainers who came with mediocre horses. Apart from Dr MAM Ramaswamy’s Red Chief, there was hardly any name worth the mention. And Red Orchid
landed the prize for Dr C Pratap Reddy of Apollo Hospitals.
Even on Sunday, Chavan was confident that he would beat another of Leo D’Silva’s wards, Royal Carnival. Not just Chavan, but a majority at the course felt so. Nevertheless, there were some who pitched for Royal Carnival who had scored a fighting win coming off a long lay-off.
Frankly, Royal Carnival did not merit the kind of backing that he had received. The news that the horse has overcome the problem of bursting his blood vessels was good news, no doubt, but to expect him to repeat against a horse which is in full flight was a bit too much. That too when he was also making his debut in the top category.
Suraj Narredu gave a clear indication at the very start of the mile race that Royal Carnival was not in the race. He took his mount to the front and established a good three-length lead over Kaza’s Delight and Satin Gold. Chavan settled Red Orchid in the fifth-sixth positions but traveled a bit wide, obviously in order not to get into traffic problems. Royal Carnival swung into the straight first, well ahead of the bunch, but with two furlongs to go and Timeline lunging forward, Red Orchid started his run. With smooth but solid strides, Red Orchid had the measure of both in a trice and zipped past the post seven lengths to the good of Timeline.
This does not take anywhere the debate whether Coral Gables is better or Red Orchid. In fact, it leaves that where it was. Especially as Coral Gables beat none other the in-form Okati Okati Okati by a good ten lengths. Their impressive wins make the comparison even more interesting and one eagerly looks forward to a face-off between the two.
There were a few mild surprises in the day, particularly caused by three-year-olds. Henceforth ran an impressive race to turn the tables on four-year-old Ocean Blue. Backed to the exclusion of youngsters, Ocean Blue, of course, ran well below his best, but it was good to see a youngster showing the keenness to go after an experienced runner and actually clinch the verdict.
It was good to see trainer Sateesh getting his act together by saddling another winner in Starry Eyes. The Classic Tale filly devoured ground well in the straight to put paid to the aspirations of favourite Amrita. Shamshuddin’s Scenario, who did the front running, should be noted for a seven-furlong trip.
Amazing Dancer exploited the pull in weights to score a comfortable five-length victory over favourite Oxford Days. One felt apprentice Qazafi did not do his job well on the favourite, but trainer Leo D’Silva deserves praise for seeing an opportunity for his ward if he claimed an allowance.
Another three-year-old who earned an elusive victory was Bench Mark. In her very first run after joining KRK Raju stables, the filly came out well in the straight and produced a winning gallop. Accolade showed that he is returning to form, while Gracious Bay should be expected to hit the winning circle soon.
For the second day running, the race for 2-year-old maidens threw up a mild upset. This time, it came from the stables of KRK Raju. After Cool Deal’s victory on Saturday, public went after her stablemate One More Time as he appeared to have fared better in the track trials. Maybe he has, but punters should see how the stable is behaving. The fact that Satheesh declared Ravinder Singh to partner One More Time was the indication that the stable is not keen. The next best was Santana Row, but eventually he too seemed not interested. He came too late on the scene and was full of running only to clinch a second spot. Cannon Glow, true to her sire Kly Green, showed enough pace in the final furlong to land the prize. Fourth-placed Diesel showed that he has eough gas to go a little further and should not be neglected next time.
