Champagne continues to flow in Dhunjibhoy camp after Berlioz gives him, Malesh a Guineas' double
By Usman Rangila

Mumbai
Dec 19, 2004

It’s party time in Khushroo Dhunjibhoy’s camp and the last seven days since Venus Arising’s victory in the 1000 Guineas have been pure bliss for his team. Four days after picking up the first Indian classic, Dhunjibhoy was re-elected to the RWITC managing committee and got the privilege of serving as chairman for a fifth term. Adding fizz to this celebration was the S. Padmanabhan trained Berlioz, who uncorked a champagne performance in the Indian 2000 Guineas.

Jockey Malesh Narredu rode a peach of a race to become only the second Indian jockey after Aslam Kader to win the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas in the same season in the last decade. Mystic Memory and Elusive Pimpernel were the two horses on whom Aslam had succeeded when donning the silks of owner Deepak Khaitan and was given a leg up in the Mahalaxmi racecourse paddocks by the legendary Rashid Byramji in 1994. The other jockeys to have achieved this feat are E Britt
(Princess Beautiful 1942-43), W T Evans (Her Majesty 1946-47), W A Rickaby (Jeanne d’Arc and Royal Crusader 1947-48), Kheem Singh (Gamble For Love 1949-50), W Snaith (Nanda Deep 1962-63), J Mercer (My Smitha and Prince Pradeep 1963-64), M Jagidsh (Reprint and Squanderer 1976-77), A Barclay (Highland Rule (1979-80)

Berlioz and Happy Malesh Narredu

From Right to Left; Mr.Byramji Jeejeebhoy, Berlioz, Mr.Sunil Jhangiani, Mr.A.S.Narielwalla

Lead in - From Right to Left ; Mrs.Janine Tara (daughter of Mr Byram Jeejeebhoy), Mrs.Mehroo Jeejeebhoy, Mr.Lal Chellaram, Mr.Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, Mr.Byram Jeejeebhoy, Mr.Malesh Narredu on Berlioz, Mr.Sunil Jahngiani, Mrs.Deepa Dhunjibhoy, Mr.S.Padmanabhan, Dr.Phiroze Khambatta, Mr.Zahir Dhunjibhoy, Mrs.S.Padmanabhan, Mr.A.S.Narielwalla

Lead in - From Right to Left; Mrs.Janine Tara, Mrs.Mehroo Jeejeebhoy, Mr.Lal Chellaram, Chairman Mr.Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, owner Mr.Byram Jeejeebhoy, Mr.Malesh Narredu on Berlioz, Mr.Sunil Jhangiani, Mrs.Deepa Dhunjibhoy, Mr.S.Padmanabhan and Dr.Phiroze Khambatta

Receiving the Trophy - From Right to Left; Mr.Byramji Jeejeebhoy, Mr.Zahir Dhunjibhoy, Mrs.Mehroo Jeejeebhoy, Mrs.Janine Tara, Mr.Shivlal Daga-chairman of the Stewards of RWITC, Mr.Sunil Jhangiani, Mr.Khushroo Dhunjibhoy-chairman of RWITC, Mrs.Deepa Dhunjibhoy

Disheartened when Berlioz was outsmarted by Full Speed in the Harvins’ Bangalore 2000 Guineas, Padmanabhan was down but definitely not out. As originally planned, Paddy left for Mumbai with Berlioz. Not that it mattered or bothered him, Paddy had drawn some unwarranted criticism for his decision to use blinkers on the son of Sri Pekan out of Innocent Pleasures when he went down to Full Speed. Yet he didn’t hesitate to use the same equipment once again. But yes, the tactics he chose to adopt were different on this occasion. At Bangalore, Berlioz was marking Elite Zone but here in Mumbai the plan was to make the final bid possibly at the last turn and tell the rivals: catch-me-if-you-can. This strategy turned out to be the master stroke.

With a shade over two furlongs to go for the post, Malesh spurred Berlioz into the lead. The flashy bay rocketed ahead and established a good lead though danger was creeping up towards Berlioz. The threat was not in the form of Star Admiral as was widely expected. It turned out to be Southern Regent. The son of Razeen came with an inspired run from the rear and though Paul Eddery made the best attempt of his brief stay so far in India, the property of Dr Ramaswamy could not avenge the 1000 Guineas defeat of Queen of Fashion. The colours of Five Star Shipping once again paled those of the racing baron from south. Malesh used his whip in excess of the prescribed number but that hardly mattered as he reached his goal. Star Admiral ran disappointingly to finish a poor seventh two places behind Secret Warrior who probably gave a much better performance than expected by his connections.

The ambitions of Celtic Chief to storm the bastion of his experienced rivals ended in disaster. Although not visible to the naked eye, Celtic Chief seemed to be in some sort of a problem right after the start as he failed to keep pace with the field. The right fore leg of the son of Burden of Proof finally gave in to pressure and snapped two furlongs away from home. Celtic Chief was then put to sleep on humanitarian grounds.

Cooji Katrak saddled Radiate, was all the rage in the betting ring, flopped miserably and was humiliated by Ballynahinch in the second race of the day. This defeat of Radiate proved to be the last straw for her owner Capt. Jamshed Appoo, who has decided to part ways with Cooji. Radiate was meeting both Aerosat and Ballynahinch on near identical terms vis-à-vis their last encounter in Pune where Radiate had slammed them. The sudden reversal in Radiate’s form baffled all including the stipes, who’ve decided to look carefully into this run. It’s almost certain that the outcome of the stipes’ enquiry would have no serious consequences and as far as the racing public is concerned, it would lead them nowhere. Another enquiry initiated by the stipes to review the improved performance of Starmaniac is also likely to meet the same fate as that of Radiate unless of course a miracle happens and the stipes stumble across some incriminating evidence.

Ballynahinch (T R Shaikh up) winner of the Shantidas Askuran Trophy

Starmaniac (Alnasr Alwasheek-Speedbird) made his third visit to the racetrack this season and the ninth of his career a winning one to give Paul Eddery his first win at Mahalaxmi this year. The Dallas Todywalla trained chestnut colt took charge in last furlong and cantered away for an effortless victory over Stormy Look and Rushing River, who were followed by Chasing Destiny.

Niall McCullagh rode a fantastic race astride Cooji Katrak trainee Velvet Rope (Turtle Island-Truffa) in the race for juveniles. Velvet Rope was in close attendance of leader Smart Vision till the heads turned for home where Niall decided to turn the heat on S. Ganapathy’s ward. The two horses waged a grim battle and ran green as the destination came in sight. After they rolled onto each other, Niall dug in into the reserves of Velvet Rope and settled the dispute once and for all. Rosenkavalier lost way in the betting ring and didn’t disappoint the market forces by running down the field. Favourite Arturo too could only manage to fill in the frame. Perfect Attraction, in contrast, ran an encouraging third and almost deprived Smart Vision of the runner-up berth. Niall slipped in one of the most mediocre performance of this season astride Adam’s Bounty. The hopes of registering an encore remained unfulfilled as Hanut Singh’s protégé was asked to perform an Herculean task by Niall after racing at the wrong end of the field in the initial stages of the sprint event. Airwave (Warrshan-Riverine), on the other hand, hit the bull’s-eye when Suraj Narredu once again partnered the filly from Arti Doctor’s yard to a fluent victory on promotion. Caring lost precious ground when the gates flew open and his gradual progress could only fetch a minor berth on the judges’ board.

Imtiaz Sait-nurtured gelding High Opinion (Razeen-Finest Hour) justified his favouritism when Amyn Merchant brought him with a superb run nearer home and stayed clear of Nota Bene and Allegary. Surprisingly, C. Rajendra-ridden Future Star was nowhere in contention till High Opinion took charge and flashed on to the scene late to take the fourth place. Asad Ali’s Labour Of Love bore fruit when Sonic Symphony produced a scintillating run and snatched the race from right under the nose of rank outsider Etoile. Favourite Royal March faded away after being prominent till the turn while Wolverine took a fly-jump and lost valuable ground.

 

High Opinion (Merchant up) winner of the 
Wild Eagle Plate Div I

Faisal Abbas and Bezan Chenoy led in Tribal Warrior and Auchinblae respectively. The former kept Ixora at bay while the latter prevailed over Path of Fortune and Flag Bearer in a close finish. Favourite Elusive Dream finished a dismal fifth.