Favourite Desert Lightning sent distress signals when asked for an
effort by Colm O’Donoghue at the turn and was soon overtaken by
Thundering Power. Fedora, Silken Star and Spectacular Queen were never
in the race at any stage of the 2400-metre trip.
With this emphatic victory under her belt, the connections of Romantic
Liaison should be tempted to let the filly take a shot at the McDowell’s
Indian Derby, which is three weeks away. Alford, the fast maturing lad
from the East, will have a difficult task ahead when he is asked to pick
between Romantic Liaison and Aristotle, the brilliant winner of the
Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr.1), who is now in Mumbai.
Imtiaz Sait was in full flow on this classic day and so was C. Rajendra.
The fruits of their association were seen in the success of a popular
treble. Live Legend (Razeen – Husun) made his debut in the highest class
with a comprehensive win over stable-mate Master Craft and Fantastic
Knight. Proteus, who was better placed on the scales vis-à-vis his last
meeting with Live Legend, flopped once again and ended a dismal fourth.
C. Rajendra had something in reserve when he drove Live Legend past
the winning post without punishing him. If all goes well with Live
Legend, he will be a force to reckon in the Super Mile during the
Invitation Cup weekend in Bangalore.
Of his three winners, Snow Tiger’s maiden win would’ve
been the most satisfying one for Imtiaz. The well-bred daughter of
Steinbeck out of Miss Freeze has had a chequered career but the veteran did
not lose patience. The change of equipment seemed to do the trick on this
occasion. The adept handling of Rajendra enabled the filly to wear down
Natural Vision at the post after a fierce ding-dong battle in the home
stretch.
Rajendra achieved a treble with another superb win astride Hugo Boss (Royal Kingdom–Eau Parfumee), who decimated Money
Star, Amadomio and Forces of Destiny. Fear of Tears refused to put his
best foot forward while Nebraska Tornado decided to bide his time in the
rear and woke up only when the race was over. Hugo Boss has not peaked
as yet and he is sure to reach Class I.
Like Rajendra astride Snow Tiger, Y. S. Srinath played a pivotal role in
the victory of Asad Ali trained Bikini Bomb (Concordial–Windswift). Srinath’s never-say-die attitude came in handy as he
scuttled the start to finish mission of Flying Investor in virtually the
last stride.
S.Ganapathy schooled Haunting Memories (Placerville–Haunting
Beauty), a full sister to the celebrated Six Speed, lived
up to her top billing and scored an effortless win in the hands of O’Donoghue. Likewise, Cooji Katrak trained Petronella (Conquering Hero –
Truffa), who is half-sister to Velvet Rope, gave an armchair ride to Niall McCullagh as she humiliated her seven rivals in the
Grade 3 Pratap Stud
Million.
Cooji saddled another winner in quick succession when the
bottom-weighted Star Princess (Placerville–Prudent Princess) made full
use of her handicap to oblige her followers. The late charge of Stara
Zagora and Atmosphere failed to intimidate Star Princess as C. Ruzaan
kept her out of harms way.
Struie (Razeen – So Romantic) brought a smile on trainer Bezan Chenoy’s face as Malcolm Kharadi worked relentlessly to collar the runaway
leader St Moritz. Marquisa loitered at the tail end and started
galloping when her appearance hardly mattered. Mothers Son broke a blood
vessel and finished off the board. Kon Tiki too seemed to be in some
sort of distress as she came to staggering halt more than a furlong away
from home.
