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Resolute Mallesh guides Gulmohor to pip Days of Glory
By Usman Rangila
A resolute performance in the saddle from jockey Mallesh Narredu enabled Gulmohor pip Days of Glory virtually at the post for the Indian Express Trophy on Thursday. Days of Glory broke away from the barriers to establish what should have been a winning lead. But, the Placerville out of Classic Line filly found the Mahalaxmi straight a shade too long to her liking and succumbed to the onslaught of Gulmohor. Fabulous Fortune gave a disastrous performance and finished nowhere on the judges’ board.
Jockey C. Rajendra rode a brace of winners without really raising a sweat. The grey filly Catch The Sun, saddled by private trainer Sarosh Mody for owner Shapoor Mistry, easily tackled Way Beyond on the way to her first career win. Way Beyond, surprisingly, was taken to the front on this occasion but gave no resistance when Catch The Sun threw her gauntlet. Even Golden Star managed to oust Way Beyond from the second berth.
Speed of Light was easily the best of the maiden lot of seven contesting for the Klarion Gold Plate. The Dallas Todywalla-groomed Portroe out of Double Quick filly, sporting the colours of Shapoor Mistry, graduated from the maiden ranks with a wire to wire run. After a keen tussle, Timbavati managed to wrest the runner-up slot from Call Her Madam. Mystic Lady ran fourth but gave a glimpse of her ability to strike in maiden company.
Saranyu caused a major upset when she made every post of the nine-furlong L. M. Motee Plate a winning one in the hands of P. Sandeep. At no stage of the race did Saranyu come under any threat from her rivals. Mountain Wind raced in the slowest lane on the wide outside and never looked interested in the proceedings. Tamarinda bowed out of contention meekly after chasing the winner all the way into the straight.
Though Saranyu was running after a gap of three weeks, it is difficult to comprehend the kind of improvement shown by her. There might be an excuse that Saranyu relished the dirt surface. And there is every possibility that this contention of Saranyu’s trainer will be "noted" by the RWITC’s vigilant stipes. This outcome of the enquiries to look into the improved performances of horses will also not be an isolated one. Though it would be expecting too much from them, but it is hoped that the stipes will take this criticism in the right perspective and desist from trumpeting their so-called contribution to the "clean and fair" racing that takes place in Western India.
The bay gelding Astaire from Faisal Abbas’ stable proved too good for his rivals in the Tristar Plate. Following Saranyu’s footsteps, Astaire earned an identical pillar to post victory over Burning Issue. The ante post favourite Set Point never raised hopes of a possible victory and ended a poor fourth behind Speakeasy.
With Piaget in no mood to accelerate, Natural Grace seized the opportunity to score in the hands of Mark Gallagher. Piaget flattered to deceive till the final furlong and surrendered far too easily to the winner. The favourite even lost the second place to Begonia who picked up momentum a wee bit late.
Coming the shortest way home, Earth Song lived upto the promise shown in her last run when finishing second to Knight Royale. Trusted to Satish Nayak, Moira couldn’t capitalise on the handicap advantage. Sarena Pride and Blusheon ran on late to end close behind the runner-up. The latter showed some zest for racing and should oblige if judiciously placed by M. K. Jadhav.
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