Mumbai
January 30, 2002


Sedona thwarts Destiny Calling to win 
Sweet Memories Trophy

By Usman Rangila

Once again Imtiaz Sait’s astute placement of his wards came to the fore as Castle Grey, Sedona and Kraftwerk returned successful. With the addition of this popular treble to his score, Imtiaz now heads this season’s trainer’s championship tally. 

Though making her first appearance this season, the five-year-old mare Sedona packed enough punch to neck out Destiny Calling on Wednesday. The C. Rajendra-ridden daughter of Don’t Forget Me out of Stop It Dear found the winning post coming to her rescue as another Don’t Forget Me filly came charging towards the end. Flyme To Themoon, the on-money favourite in this race, ducked in under the gates and this trauma had a telling effect on her performance Thereafter, the filly from Cooji Katrak’s yard, was not inclined to put her best foot forward yet ran a fair third in the hands of Niall McCullagh. Cryptonite found his rhythm late to finish half-a-length abreast of the favourite and should be a good betting proposition when taking on his own age group.




Sedona (C Rajendra up), winning The Sweet Memories Trophy from Destiny Calling (Gallagher up)

Click here to view Photo Feature

Castle Grey (Rebounding Thrill-Dauphine), with Malesh Narredu guiding her fortunes, gave no anxious moments to her admirers as she surged clear of Fortune’s Wheel in the final furlong. After losing a couple of lengths at the start, Sanaga ran on well to deprive Fabulous Fortune of the third place. Sanaga advertised her fitness and will be a force to reckon over trips not less than a mile-and-a-quarter. Kraftwerk (Sir Bruce-La Figlia) made ample amends for his loss against Lucky Strike earlier. Pesi Shroff rode a copybook race astride thse property of the Chaudhary siblings Divya and Yug Mohit and Kraftwerk was well within himself when finishing clear of Miss Sunshine.

After playing second fiddle on two occasions earlier, Mandalay Bay, unlike his half-brother The Gladiator, finally graduated from the maiden ranks. The Narendra Lagad trainee chased Royalist in the early phase and the moment Mark Gallagher released the brakes, Mandalay flew towards the wire. Bereft of the striking speed shown on his debut, Sheer Silver (Don’t Forget Me-Grey Magic) proved to be an expensive failure. Sheer Silver was one of three favourites that flopped in the hands of jockey C. Rajendra during the day.

Riboletta, his first engagement, not only burst his blood vessels but also veered out under pressure when C. Rajendra was about to launch his assault. Eminent, meanwhile, scampered home for a shock victory. Eminent has, for the second time after change in his ownership, come out and won contrary to the expectations of his connections. 

Zadmal Singh made good use of the 5kg-claimer S. Sunil atop his ward Right Moment and was provided a rare opportunity to lead in a winner at Mahalaxmi. Favourite Courtesan never appeared in an obliging mood and ran off the board. Flossy ran a forward race before giving in to Right Moment. The daughter of Gold Discovery relishes a scurry and the day Altaf Hussain decides to exploit her, Flossy should be an attractive betting prospect. Daniel Bast rode a poor race atop Millennium King who could have done better than finish fourth. In the next event, Darksideofthemoon justified her favouritism to earn her maiden success. 

Despite the presence of lesser-known Ravi Birmane in saddle, the volume of betting attracted by Hosidar Daji’s maiden filly Danger Zone was overwhelming. The daughter of Young Senor out of Barocco Girl was a cut above the rest at least on this one day. Pique ran an encouraging second and a bracket does not seem to be far off though a positive approach by her connections is a pre-condition.

At the end of the day, Caribbean Star registered a resounding victory only to vindicate trainer M. K. Jadhav’s stand over the circumstances in which jockey R. Rupesh reported the loss of his whip when riding the son of Cruachan precisely a week ago. 


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Reviews Archive

Bangalore Summer Season 2001
(19th May, 2001 to
3rd August 2001)
  
Calcutta Monsoon Season 2001
(5th July 2001 to 12th October 2001)
 
Mumbai Winter Season 2000-2000
(16th Nov, 2000 to 29th April 2001)
 

Hyderabad Monsoon Season 2001
(23rd July 2001 to 28th October 2001)
 

Mysore Regular  Season 2001
(16th Aug, 2001 to
21st October 2000)
 

Pune Regular  Season 2001
(19th July, 2001 to
28th October 2001)