Entrusted to Irishman
Colm O’Donoghue, the S. Ganapathy trained Haunting Memories exhibited a
touch of class as she strolled majestically over the seven-furlong
journey. Both Flaming Glory and Balthazar felly by the wayside as the
winning post came in sight and it was Diabolical, another Ganapathy
protégé, who ran on to take the runner-up berth ahead of the tiring
Flaming Glory.
It was one-two-three for Dr M. A. M. Ramaswamy in this prestigious
juvenile event. Taking stock of Flaming Glory’s pathetic run, it can be
said that she was far from fit for this encounter after her earlier
setback. However, she should be a different proposition during the next
appearance.
Ramaswamy’s brigade had pouched two more events earlier. The
four-year-old filly Six Stars, sent out for the first time under the
care of Ganapathy, gave a gutsy performance as she spurned the vicious
attack initiated by P. Belose astride One Way in the home straight. Six
Stars (Placerville – Mitzvah) faced the challenge bravely with the
admirable assistance given by P. S. Chouhan. The bay filly then conjured
up enough strength to withstand the onslaught of Dunbar and the late
finishing Mysterious Land. Belose’s frivolous protest against the winner
was not entertained by the Stewards.
Evatina (Placerville – Abbess) was very nearly floored by Major Roberts’
blazing speed but she came with raking strides to halt his victory march
just in the nick of time. Bikini Bomb and True Wisdom filled the frame.
The rest were simply not interested in the proceedings and were out for
an airing it seemed.
The Ramaswamy colours were sidelined before Evatina’s triumph. Star
Millionaire tasted defeat at the hands of the Zadmal Singh saddled filly
Magic Touch (Razeen – Magic Fountain). Piloted by C. Alford, Magic Touch
was unstoppable in the straight after she wrest the lead from Tartarus
and St Moritz. Struie managed to deny Star Millionaire the runner-up
slot.
Narendra Lagad masterminded two successful coups during the day. First
Anchors Aweigh, who had last raced two months back, was the medium of
the biggest gamble of the season so far. And the race chosen by Lagad
was none other than the Bookmaker’s Trophy! Anchors Aweigh faced stiff
resistance from Golden Key but the old warhorse prevailed despite his
rider Anil Baandal’s anxiety. Rookie Raju Singh’s objection was
overruled. Ante post favourite Blue Spirit ran below par.
Owner Ravi Ghai’s decision to acquire a share in Generalissimo (General
Monash – Pas de l’Argent) was justified by the Lagad trainee when jockey
Sunny Chinoy urged his mount to take the shortest route home. Till that
moment, Money Stream and Nectar Jewel were involved in a bitter
struggle. Nectar Jewel finished second.
Magansingh Jodha’s Blazing Arrow (Conquering Hero – Lead Me Lead Menot)
ended his hide-and-seek game with success as jockey R. Rupesh brought
the gelding from virtually an impossible position to snatch the race
from One Good Thing who was busy disputing the issue with a rank
outsider Money Queen. Favourite Rare Look ran a disappointing fourth.
Pesi Shroff saddled bay colt Chagall took off smartly from the gates and
made the race a pillar to post mission. The Kunigal Stud bred son of
Burden of Proof out of Current Bay was ridden confidently by Malesh
Narredu and escaped the late bid of debutant Portrush, who is bred as
full brother to Live Legend. Nimble Feet ran on to finish third ahead of
Definite Spice, whose winning chances were on everybody’s lips till he
lost favour in the bookies’ ring.
Jockey Alford’s waiting game astride the
Arti Doctor trained mare Zephyrella (Batzushka – Zee Zee Top) paid off
and she finally earned an overdue bracket. Zephyrella made the early
pace in the experienced hands of Malesh Narredu when Scarsdale, owned by
the Shroff brothers, had ended victorious. Zephyrella had ended fourth
after all the hard work. This time she was full of running in the last
furlong or so and simply unstoppable. Dilnawaz came second followed by
Absolute Dominance and Cincinnati. Desert Sunrise and Silent Presence,
the two highly fancied horses in the race, play truant.
