Forthcoming’s win spoiled by trainer’s suspension

By Diablo

Hyderabad
Nov 8, 2003

Forthcoming returned to his inimitable running style and the result was yet another overwhelming victory for the three-year-old. A useful handicapper, he set alight the day’s proceedings with an impressive nine-length verdict in The Circar Cup, the main event on Saturday (8.11.2003). 

After just one trial run following his elevation to Category II, Forthcoming was ready for the assault.  His superiority could be gauged from the way his challengers chickened out and the final number thinned down to just two: Fine Glance and Clear Zone.

That even Fine Glance, winner of three races during the monsoon season, could not make an impression on Forthcoming is an indication that this Metal Precieux – Wonderland gelding is capable of better show in the days to come. A useful handicapper, Forthcoming is certain to pick up another two races, particularly because he can tackle anything above seven furlongs and also has the ability to travel well over longer distances. He will be more than a handful for the likes of Abilene, Golden Waltz, Amazing Dancer et al. 

Despite such a fine win, there was no cheer in trainer K Satheesh’s camp. There was an eerie silence at the paddock ceremony, reflecting that all is not well with the famed gold-brown stable. Then the news filtered in that Satheesh’s license was suspended for a two-month period, starting from November 16, as dope tests on one his wards returned positive. 

It is learnt that Stronghold, winner of the Maltese Prince Plate on October 23, tested positive for banned substances caffein and theophylline. Besides suspending his license, the Stewards of the Hyderabad Race Club also levied a penalty of Rs 10,000 on the trainer for not being able to explain the circumstances.

While this is the second doping instance in as many months at this centre (Sk Kassam was suspended for a similar offence last month), Satheesh’s suspension comes as a severe blow to racing patriarch Dr MAM Ramaswamy. Coming close on the heels of his Western India trainer Dallas Todywalla’s suspension for a similar offence, Dr Ramaswamy must be having a rethink on whether to keep his strings with trainers who are under a cloud. The news is that he is already in the process of moving his string from Western India to either Bangalore or Chennai, and it will not be a surprise if he dealt similarly with his string at Hyderabad.

As for Satheesh, it is rather unfortunate that he blotted his image just when there were signals that a better season was ahead of him. Only last Sunday, he saddled Henceforth to an amazing win over Okati Okati Okati, one of the outstanding performers of the season. 

Sharing the day’s honours with Forthcoming was Run For Roses who won the Half-A-Crown Plate. Having been foiled by Minivet in her last race, this time round Run For Roses claimed a full complement of the 5 kilo allowance for an apprentice and scored with a well-timed stretch run. The way, Run For Roses positioned herself at the back while Burjo Fire tracked leader Cartridge, it appeared as if Run For Roses would run again get not roses but brickbats.  But the Leo D’Silva ward moved up nicely to take over in the final furlong for a fine victory. Burjo Fire folded up to be third while Cannon Hope exerted a little pressure on the winner. The later should win soon but whenever he does, he is sure to offer lucrative odds.

Running in either division of the Democracy Plate, both Mr Bureaucrat and Miraculous Ruler were expected to score, but only the later obliged. Mr Bureaucrat gave a disappointing account of himself while allowing to be beaten by a maiden three-year-old, Crystal Clear, and a bunch of older horses. Miraculous Ruler, however, gave a glimpse of his fighting qualities when he warded off a late challenge from Recoleta.

Favourite Taxido went without a trace and the one to impress along with Sunny Ways was a much improved Maceio from Faisal Hassan’s yard. The Green Forest filly was full of running in the final furlong and had he not traveled the entire trip wide of the rails, he would have done a lot better. He should strike in a similar trip.

Veteran trainer KRK Raju, who finished runner-up in the Trainer’s championship last monsoon, s firing on all cylinders. That he has a bunch of good two-year-olds could be seen from the fact that he sent out his second winner in as many weeks. Classic Ten, who looked a picture in the paddock parade, sailed to impressive win in the Fond Hope Plate, beating the more fancied Rock Breaker and River Angel. 

D Singh may have ridden Classic Ten well, but later in the day he blotted his copy book when he received a one-week suspension for ‘improper behaviour’ during the post-race enquiry. It was learnt that D Singh (Royal Shine) was held guilty of causing interference to Stronghold, who passed it on to Mr Bureaucrat and Cinnamon. During the enquiry, Singh not only failed to explain himself properly but said to have behaved rudely with the officials. The Stewards did well to wield the stick, but unfortunately it came at a time when Singh was beginning to do well. 

Satheesh’s Petrushka and Prasad Raju’s The Serow proved too good for their contemporaries in the two divisions of The Rave Review Plate. Petrushka showed rare burst in the final furlong to ward of the challenge of daring Fantasy, while he Serow mowed down the opposition almost from the gates.

Other winners on the day were Sun Speed and Zee Fantasy. Both justified the favouritism by winning with a measure of comfort in Category IV races.