The five-year-old son of Razeen out of Regal Grace proved more than a
match for the S. Ganapathy trained favourite Empire Star.
Star Gold led the charge while Mallesh and Prakash were both content
in riding their respective mounts, Royal Hunt and Empire Star, off the pace.
Mallesh asked Royal
Hunt to take the initiative when the field skirted the ten-metre wide
false rails and entered the home stretch. Prakash wasted precious time
before deciding to make his move allowing Royal Hunt the crucial leeway
in the straight. Mallesh went into overdrive and kept
Empire Star at bay. Just half a length separated the two. Money Star’s
intentions focused mainly on being in the money and she was bang on
target on this front.
One more immigrant Star Princess (Placerville–Prudent Princess), a
piping hot favourite to win the Scaramouche Plate, entered the winner’s
enclosure that same evening. Dallas Todywalla led in the four-year-old
filly, C. Rajendra up, for an effortless
victory over Girl From Ascot and Alice Wonder.
Trainer Hosidar Daji experienced one of his better, if not the best,
afternoons of the season. He led in two winners, Star Destiny and
Adrenaline Rush, both carrying the public purse. Star Destiny
(Mischievous Music–Majestic Eagle) made full use of this opportunity
provided by the club for horses at the bottom of the handicapper’s
scale. Light of Justice had more than a fair share of supporters backing
his claim but they were destined to watch him go in futile chase of the
winner.
Adrenaline Rush (Steinbeck–Stimulating) achieved an encore in the
hands of Malcolm Kharadi but it was the uninspiring support given by young Vikram Walkar to his mount Tracy that helped the favourite scamper
home. The M.K.Jadhav trainee was seen devouring good ground in the
straight and it appeared that Adrenaline Rush would be an easy prey for
Tracy. But Walkar failed to compliment Tracy’s fierce attack. The mare
went down by half a length.
The "load-shedding" of Magansingh Jodha trained Flaming Bay (Warrshan–Elmajarrah), overlooked by the
Stipes and the
handicapper alike, reached its logical conclusion when P. Belose piloted
her to victory over the false favourite St Moritz. The runaway tactics
of Narendra Lagad’s candidate came to nought as he failed to stay the
trip. Nightingale added insult to injury by depriving him the runner-up
berth.
Imtiaz Sait saddled Savoy (Tirol–Bold Bequest) unleashed a
powerful run when alerted by Rajendra at the turn and surged ahead
opposite the stands to score a comfortable win over Belle Chose, who was
harshly relegated to fourth spot after the protest of Suleman Pasha
found favour with the Stewards. Summer Wind flattered till the bend and
retired without making any significant contribution to the outcome of
the race.
Arti Doctor trained Amanat (Steinbeck–Amadora) brought well deserved joy
to her sporting owners, Dr.Sardeshmukh and his family,
after rookie C.S.Jodha provided her with confident support in the
saddle. The aged Attia In Sunlight and the bottom-weighted All or
Nothing tried in vain to unsettle the winner close home.
