That an apprentice jockey could so daringly not move his hands right in front of the Grand Stands reflect that sad state of affairs prevailing at the premier racing centre in the country. Punters are increasingly deserting the race course as one can no longer pick winners based on merit. Inside information is the key and more often than not, favourites, who have good credentials, play truant simply because they are quoted at short price and the same horses sprout wings as it were when the odds favour them. We have come to the fag end of the season and ironically, the few hopefuls too seem to have come to their wits end! To quote American poet W B Yeats:
``Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all convictions, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
Be that as it may, the consistency of Rose Petals was the highlight of the day's races. Rose Petals had recorded a facile win last time out and the four-year old filly had it easy against the opposition in the Blue River Plate, run over a mile. After being handily placed right at the top of the field, Rose Petals fought resolutely with surprise challenger Rise and got stronger close home. There was some support for Samarinda who could not quicken at a crucial stage and finished a tame third.
Mustang Sally who had run behind Radiate at Pune and ahead of horses like Monifieth, was taking on a dead field in the 2000 metres Sea Shells Plate but the drifting price in the ring sent ominous signals. Imogene was backed by default but the duo let down as Fraud won with a measure of comfort from the latter. Mustang Sally finished last!
Rajendra's driving finish enabled Silver Tulip just about get the measure of front-running Imperial Thriller who was shaping to pull off an upset. Pradeep Chauhan who rode the runner-up, however, had a profitable day, with a well priced double through Ho Chi Minh and Hot Tin Roof. There was solid support for Rosemount who had run second in her previous start but the Bezan Chenoy ward lacked the speed to be a force in the five and a half furlong trip. Ho Chi Minh was sluggish at the start and though the jockey tried his best take a forward position, the second favourite struggled in the rear. However, he came with a flourish to edge out Blazing Arrow virtually in the last stride.
Apart from Hot Tin Roof and Ho Chi Minh, Antia's third winner of the day came through Eye to Eye who left the field stranded inside the final furlong. Empeachment came in for sustained support in the ring but the favourite who drew level with the front-running So Precious inside the distance post and raised visions of victory, weakened as the front-runner brought out the reserves and ended up second best.
