Christopher lost a golden opportunity of gaining cent per cent results
on his visit to Mahalaxmi when he lost narrowly astride favourite Oh
What A Babe in the opening race. The Imtiaz Sait nursed mare entered the
home stretch last and had to make her bid from the wide outside. Oh
What A Babe started to inch closer to the frontrunners but Christopher
failed to keep her on an even keel. The Conquering Hero progeny appeared
to hang out when she was asked for an effort. Master Planner had
meanwhile started to fall back after being ridden to the ground by
Malcolm Kharadi. Saarah was always poised for an assault but her weight
proved to be a stopper. Nana Raghunath’s Rare Look (Mischevious Music–Winning Look) on the other hand was immensely favoured with the
feather-weight carried by Neeraj Rawal in the saddle and lasted out to
win from Oh What A Babe. A mere neck separated the two horses. Silent
Presence ran thereabouts to finish a tame fourth.
Neeraj Rawal rode a back-to-back double with the on-money favourite
Gruezi (Royal Kingdom–Sarmatara) in the Radha Sigtia Trophy. Nosher
Cama’s ward had just Dream Destiny racing behind her as Golden Triangle
led the field over the Derby trip. Neeraj cajoled Gruezi to sort out her
rivals which was not a difficult task to accomplish. Adrenaline Rush
raised the tempo with a short deceptive run only to surrender before
Golden Triangle once again. Gruezi was engaged in a minor scuffle by
Golden Triangle but the grey filly stamped asserted her superiority in
no uncertain manner. Too little, too late would be the best way to sum
up the Malesh Narredu ridden runner-up Dream Destiny’s finishing
efforts.
Shiraz Sunderji saddled a princely double with Desert Conqueror and
Magical Music. Desert Conqueror (Tirol – Voices of Spring) celebrated
her return to Class III with an authoritative win over Wild Vegas and
Morpheus. Radical Power, like before, flattered to deceive at the top of
the straight leaving the onus on Morpheus. The Faisal Abbas trainee
headed the field for a while before D. K. Ashish brought the bay mare
into contention. Desert Conqueror treated her rivals with absolute
contempt and sailed away for an easy win. Wild Vegas ran on to finish
second ahead of Morpheus and Radical Power.
Magical Music (Mischevious Music – Satin Lover) survived a scare from
the rank outsider Pursuit of Power in the concluding race. Pursuit of
Power’s final burst was such that it appeared for a moment that she
would measure both Magical Music and Siberian Siren in her next stride.
Jockey R. Shelar has never been known for possessing exceptional riding
skills hence racegoers were hardly surprised to see him accept
defeat on Pursuit of Power. Amyn Merchant was relentless astride Magical
Music and earned rare success for himself. Siberian Siren was the only
horse to remind punters that it was All Fools Day. The Hosidar Daji
trained filly owned by Haresh Mehta had flopped badly in the hands of
Malcolm last time out and was entrusted to C. Rajendra on this occasion.
But the Rajendra continued in the same vein as Party Celebration and Ka
Ching. Siberian Siren ran third and it would be in the best interest of
the punters to leave her alone till she proves herself to be capable of
carrying the burden of the public’s purse.
Star Girl disappointed for the third time in succession as she continued
to experience trouble in tackling the shortest trip of the sport. This
frustrating trait of Nina Lalvani’s paved way for the Magansingh Jodha
schooled Spiritual Hymn (Hymn–Spirit of Patxi) to hit the wire first.
Alamshaara made her presence felt when the winning post was well within
reach of Spiritual Hymn and ended a fair third ahead of The Dominator.
S. N. Joshi saddled Raiba (Meritocrat–Oriental Chimes) earned an
overdue victory in the hands of C.S.Jodha. The grey gelding fought a
resolute battle with Crespo and Master of the Game before gaining an
upper hand. Regina flashed on to the scene to complete the judges’
frame.
