Indian Derby picture becomes more open after Warsaw Pact’s wins the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup
By Usman Rangila
Mumbai
Jan 09, 2005
Being the only filly taking part in the thirteen-horse field for the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup, Warsaw Pact was the odd one out but she was the first one home to claim the rich purse reserved for the winner. The four-year-old bay daughter of Razeen out of Polish Lightning has not only made her master Imtiaz Sait proud with this victory but also ensured that the Indian Derby picture will be wider and more open.
Considered widely as the lead up race to the Indian Derby, the Ruia Gold Cup had a star-studded field that featured ten runners from the field that contested the Indian 2000 Guineas including Berlioz and Southern Regent, the winner and runner-up respectively. Ministrel Heights set the early pace and the race was run along expected lines till the turn where Star Admiral assumed command. Pramod Belose astride Adam’s Star joined the leader but in doing so put paid to the hopes of Berlioz, who was badly hampered for room.
Malesh Narredu was frantically searching for a non-existent opening between Star Admiral and Adam’s Star and got squeezed out when he tried to forge his way through them in desperation. Proteus with P. Kamlesh in saddle then came with raking strides to fight out the issue with Southern Regent who had slipped into the lead. Paul Eddery concentrated heavily on thwarting the challenge of Proteus and was caught unawares by the late surge of Warsaw Pact, who bided her time in the rear for most of the journey. Y. S. Srinath judged the pace to a nicety and gave Warsaw Pact notice of her task in the last furlong and a half. The bay literally flew towards the winning post eventually sparing a length to Southern Regent.
Srinath rode another marvellous race astride Ronin, the recent migrant to Pesi Shroff’s yard, to complete a back-to-back double. The son of Placerville raced in the mid-bunch till the turn and came with a flourish to overtake Morpheus, who engaged the winner in a brief tussle. Lebombo also made a futile bid to intimidate the winner before finishing second.
Niall McCullagh was back in business with a popular double via Velvet Rope and Romantica. The Irishman rode a peach of a race aboard Cooji Katrak nursed filly Velvet Rope (Turtle Island-Truffa) to repel the aggression of Yes Es Yes Ses in the Dashmesh & Hargobind Stud Futurity. Arturo, who got stuck in a mess towards the inner rails, ran a game third. Despite being a maiden till date the confidence of the market forces in her ability was such that Romantica was available at miserly odds in the betting ring. Niall gave a flawless ride to Rehanullah Khan’s ward Romantica (Binkhaldoun-By Queen) and won untroubled from Emmanuel, Naughty Boy and Joy of Light.
Earlier in the day, K. P. G. Appu steered Armament (Razeen-Blue Ridge) from the yards of Imtiaz Sait to an impressive win in the Ahmed I. Rahimtoola Trophy. The bay gelding unleashed a scintillating run down the straight to overwhelm Castle Creek, who seemed to have spent all her energy in fighting for her head with Paul Eddery in the initial stages of the race. Ancient Secrets followed the winner home with Orpheus in tow.
Super Sword started the day for the moneybags on a perfect note by registering a bloodless victory over Nice One Claire and Speedster. Later, Sphinx came with a powerful run under the strong urgings of S. N. Chavan to surprise favourite Glory ofthe Family, who was shaping like a winner close home. Jockey A. R. Mani was both rattled and unsettled by the danger posed by Sphinx due to which he was unable to do proper justice to his mount. Princeway added insult to Mani’s injury by coming with a strong run towards the rails and pegging him back to the third place.
Roman King was ridden confidently by Rajeev Pandey to overhaul Rushing River nearer home. Tracy ended a notable third after being knocked out by the winner at a crucial juncture of the race. The rider of Tracy probably chose not to lodge an objection against the winner because any positive outcome would not have necessarily meant any direct benefit for him. Yet, it was strange to know that the stipendiary stewards had also decided to let this incident pass off without any intervention from their side.
